S. 

PRINCETON,    N.  J. 

i 

^        ■  d%/./3/7^ 

i 

BX  5199   .M27  M3  v. 2 
Marsh,  Catherine,  1818-1912| 
The  life  of  the  Rev.  Williarl 
Marsh,  D.D.  [ 

■r 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https://archive.org/details/lifeofrevwilliam02mars 


THE  LIFE 


OF  THE 


EV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


BY   HIS  DAUGHTER, 

THE  AL'THOR  OF  'MEMORIALS  OF  CAPTAIN  HEDLEY  VICARS.' 

'  He  had  eyes  lifted  up  to  heaven,  the  best  of  hooks  iu  his 
hand,  the  law  of  truth  was  written  upon  his  lips,  the  world 
was  behind  his  back.  He  stood  as  if  he  pleaded  with  men ; 
and  a  crown  of  gold  did  hang  over  his  head.' 

Pilgrim's  Progress. 


VOL.  II. 


NEW  YORK: 
ROBERT   CARTER  AND  BROTHERS, 
No.   53  0  BROADWAY. 
1  S  < » 7  . 


I 


CHAPTER  XI. 


ONE  HOME  AGAIX. 


'  O  DAYS  of  Heaven,  and  niglits  of  equal  praise, 
Serene  and  peaceful  as  tkose  heavenly  days 
"When  souls  drawn  upwards  iu  communion  sweet 
Enjoy  the  stillness  of  some  calm  retreat, 
Discourse,  as  if  released  and  safe  at  home. 
Of  dangers  jiast,  and  wonders  yet  to  come. 
And  sj)read  the  sacred  treasures  of  the  breast 
Upon  the  lap  of  covenanted  rest.' 

COWPEE. 


U 


ONE  HOME  AGAIN. 


Eaely  in  the  spring  of  1851,  Mr.  Clialmers  was  presented 
to  the  living  of  Beckenham,  in  Kent.  The  first  letter  which 
he  wrote,  after  accepting  it,  was  to  my  father,  affectionately 
to  urge  him  to  resign  a  charge  too  heavy  for  his  advancing 
years ;  and  to  come  and  take  up  his  abode  at  Beckenham 
Eectory,  occupying  himself  with  any  share  in  the  services 
of  the  Church  to  which  he  might  feel  equal,  without  the 
constraint  of  necessity.  My  father  felt  the  wisdom  of  this 
counsel,  and  after  brief  consideration  he  accepted  the  pro- 
posal so  lovingly  made,  recognising  it  as  the  answer  to  the 
prayer  in  which  he  had  agreed  to  unite  with  my  sister. 
But  he  delayed  his  departure  from  Leamington  for  a  few 
months,  until  a  judicious  and  devoted  Christian  minister, 
the  Eev.  Thomas  Bromley,  was  found  to  succeed  him  at  St. 
Mary's,  ^lien  this  appointment  was  made,  he  prepared 
with  delight  to  share  one  home  again  with  his  beloved 
daughter  and  son-in-law.  But  his  happiness  in  the  pro- 
spect of  this  family  reunion  was  not  unmixed  with  tender 
regrets  for  the  friends  and  parishioners  whom  he  was  about 
to  leave.    Within  the  large  circle  of  his  acquaintance  in 


308 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


Leamington,  lie  had  attached  to  himself  in  an  especial  man- 
ner, a  small  knot  of  friends,  who,  in  addition  to  their  value 
for  his  ministry,  were  bound  to  him  by  ties  of  warm  Chris- 
tian affection.  Amongst  these  may  be  mentioned  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Earle  of  I^"ewbold  Firs,  whose  agreeable  society,  with 
that  of  their  bright  young  family,  he  frequently  enjoyed 
at  his  own  house ;  the  Eev.  James  Eiddell,  who  with  his 
devoted  wife  and  daughters  were  ever  ready  to  assist  in 
works  of  piety  and  benevolence.  Mrs.  Paske,  a  beloved 
friend  of  Colchester  days,  who,  with  her  daughter,  had 
settled  at  Leamington,  chiefly  for  the  sake  of  being  near 
their  old  pastor ;  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  O'Halloran,  who  were 
linked  with  all  his  interests  in  the  place. 

Testimonies  to  the  reverence  and  affection  with  which 
he  was  regarded,  flowed  in  from  all  sides.  Amongst 
others,  an  eminent  Nonconformist  minister,  the  Eev.  Dr. 
Octavius  Winslow,  thus  wrote  :  '  The  religious  associa- 
tions in  Leamington  meet  now  with  depression  and  a  sense 
of  loss.  It  would  be  impossible  to  describe  how  all  of 
every  shade  of  opinion  miss  the  animated  eloquence  with 
holy  unction,  the  youthful  ardour  and  buoyancy  with 
apostolical  wisdom  and  tenderness,  so  happily  blended  in 
Dr.  Marsh.  We  seem  to  have  lost  a  uniting  link.  Where- 
ever  he  was  present,  the  Dove  of  Peace  (we  felt)  was 
brooding  overhead.' 

On  leaving  Leamington,  my  father  and  Mrs.  Marsh 
paid  a  short  visit  to  her  beloved  sister-in-law,  the  late 
Mrs.  Lyttleton  Powys,  and  from  her  house  he  wrote  that 
he  hoped  to  arrive  at  Beckenham  Eectory  on  Saturday 
the  19  th  of  July,  in  order  to  give  his  children  their 


OXE  HOME  AGAIN. 


309 


earnest  desire,  that  he  should  spend  his  birthday  in  his 
new  home. 

Children  and  grandchildren  had  been  assembled  from 
far  and  near  to  welcome  his  first  arrival  at  Beckenham. 
The  best  suite  of  rooms  in  that  charming  rectory  had  been 
reserved  for  him  and  Mrs.  Marsh,  by  the  thoughtful  love 
of  its  owners. 

My  father  was  expected  by  five  o'clock,  but  six,  and 
at  length  seven  had  struck,  and  no  sign  of  his  arrival  was 
given.  In  the  dulness  of  '  hope  deferred,'  the  large  family 
party  sat  down  to  dinner  without  his  joy-giving  presence. 

Suddenly,  however,  a  peal  rang  out  from  the  belfry  of 
the  village  church;  and  scarcely  had  they  all  reached  the 
steps  in  front  of  the  hall-door  when  the  carriage  was  seen 
driving  in  at  the  gateway.  Servants  and  lingering  work- 
men at  that  inspiriting  call,  hastily  left  their  employ- 
ments to  follow  the  family ;  and  almost  as  quickly  my 
sister's  little  son  climbed  out  of  his  crib  in  the  nursery,  to 
run  down  stairs  and  spring  into  the  arms  of  his  grandsire. 

As  he  entered  the  house,  the  sweet  voice  of  my  eldest 
sister  led  the  old  and  loved  doxology — 

*  Praise  God,  from  -wliom  all  blessings  flow, 
Praise  Him,  all  creatures  here  below ; 
Praise  Him  above,  ye  heavenly  host ; 
Praise  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost' — 

in  which  every  one  heartily  joined. 

At  the  first  note  of  the  song  of  thanksgiving,  my  father 
uncovered  his  venerable  head ;  and  he  bowed  it  in  rever- 
ence, when  the  last  note  had  died  away,  as  he  prayed, 
'  Peace  be  to  this  house,  and  to  all  who  enter  here.'  Then, 


310  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D, 

with  a  look  of  radiant  love  around,  lie  exclaimed,  '  I  dwell 
among  mine  own  people  !' 

Immediately  afterwards,  he  was  led  by  my  sister  to  see 
his  own  rooms.  As  he  looked  from  the  windows  on  the 
sweet  English  views  of  garden  and  lawn,  and  fields  and 
wood  and  stream,  his  eyes  were  often  lifted  up  in  praise 
to  God ;  and  he  said,  '  I  shall  like  to  go  from  this  paradise 
to  the  Paradise  above.' 

From  first  to  last,  he  thorouglily  enjoyed  his  residence 
in  Beckenham.  In  addition  to  its  own  attractions,  and 
the  happiness  he  found  in  the  large  family  circle,  the  easy 
access  to  London  gave  him  the  opportunity  of  renewing 
many  of  his  old  friendships,  and  of  taking  an  active  part 
in  several  of  the  religious  meetings,  as  well  as  of  sharing 
in  other  ways  in  the  deep  and  stirring  interests  of  the 
metropolis. 

It  was  pleasant  to  see  the  welcome  which,  wherever  he 
went,  awaited  him.  In  Exeter  Hall,  the  sight  of  his  silvery 
head  was  watched  for,  and  his  smile  of  recognition  was 
sought  both  by  clergy  and  laity  on  the  platform,  and  by 
numbers  amongst  the  audience  in  the  body  of  the  hall. 
His  address  was  eagerly  expected,  and  received  with  a 
general  expression  of  warm  interest  and  reverent  affection. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Society  for  Promoting  Christianity 
amongst  the  Jews,  he  was  peculiarly  happy,  and  especially 
in  his  manner  of  addressing  the  Hebrew  children  educated 
at  the  Society's  school  in  Bethnal  Green,  who  are  present 
on  these  occasions.  Dearly  did  he  love  to  listen  to  the 
rich  melody  of  the  national  voice,  in  the  anthems  and 
hymns  which  they  sang  before  the  commencement  of  the 


OXE  HOME  AGAIN. 


311 


meeting ;  and  especially  to  the  one  with  which  they 
usually  closed,  beginning  with  this  verse — 

'  When  His  salvation  bringing 
To  Zion  Jesus  came, 
Tlie  children  all  stood  singing 
Hosanna  to  His  name. 
Hosanna  ! 
Hosanna  to  Jesus  onr  King  !' 

Frequently  at  these  meetings  might  be  seen  the  last  of 
my  father's  contemporaries  and  his  first  fellow-worker  in 
the  ministry,  ]\Ir.  Haldane  Stewart.  They  generally  sat 
side  by  side,  and  their  *  hoary  heads'  were  '  crowns  of 
glory'  to  those  Christian  assemblies. 

He  regularly  attended  also  the  meetings  of  the  Bible, 
the  Church  Missionary,  the  Prayer-book  and  Homily,  and 
the  Soldiers'  Friend  Societies.  The  Protestant  Associa- 
tion too  had  the  benefit  of  his  earnest  advocacy ;  and  on 
its  platform  he  often  met,  with  no  slight  pleasure.  Dr. 
Hugh  M'lSTeile,  the  friend  who  from  early  manhood  had 
been  dear  to  him  ;  whose  warm  sympathy  had  brought 
him  from  Liverpool  to  Birmingham,  to  speak  words  of 
comfort  to  my  father  in  his  deepest  bereavement;  and 
whose  unwearied  work  for  God,  and  unflinching  courage 
in  the  front  of  the  battle  for  Protestant  truth,  at  all  risks 
of  loss  of  worldly  promotion — had  made  my  father  con- 
tinually thank  God  on  his  behalf 

Another  of  his  pleasures,  perhaps  the  dearest,  in  Exeter 
Hall,  and  elsewhere,  was  to  meet  on  every  platform  where 
the  cause  of  scriptural  religion  or  philanthropy  was  advo- 
cated,— the  man  known  and  respected  even  in  the  dingy 


312 


MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MAESH,  D.D. 


alleys  of  St.  Giles's,  and  among  the  haunts  of  thieves — the 
friend  of  the  friendless,  the  champion  of  the  overtasked, 
himself  working  harder  than  any,  to  redress  the  wrongs 
of  the  poor  and  needy — the  Earl  of  Shaftesbury. 

But  if  meeting  with  valued  friends  on  these  occasions 
was  a  delight  to  him,  it  would  be  impossible  to  describe 
the  happiness  which  filled  his  heart  as  lie  listened  to  the 
stories  of  territory  after  territory  reclaimed  from  waste 
places  of  the  earth  for  its  lawful  King — to  whose  final 
crowning,  '  with  many  crowns,'  His  faithful  servant  was 
joyfully  looking  forward. 


'  PERFECT  LOVE  CASTETH  OUT  FEAR.* 

'  De.vr  Mr.  Gordon, — .  .  .  Oh,  if  the  great  day  were 
kept  in  view,  what  different  Christians  we  should  be ! 
"  How  will  such  a  spirit  or  such  a  line  of  conduct  appear 
then?"  would  be  the  great  question.  The  more  love  pre- 
vails, the  less  fearful  will  be  that  day.  "  Herein  is  our 
love  made  perfect,  that  we  may  have  boldness  in  the  day 
of  judgment"  (1  John  iv.  1 7).  It  may  be  understood  thus — 
So  that  we  have  boldness  in  (reference  to)  the  day  of  judg- 
ment. Because  we  are  partakers  of  His  nature,  which  is 
love.  Again,  "  We  know  that  we  have  passed  from  death 
unto  life,  because  we  love  the  brethren." 

'  More  humility,  and  more  love,  would  go  far  towards 
healing  all  divisions  in  the  Church.  We  must  pray  for 
"  all  who  profess  and  call  themselves  Christians." 

'  Love  to  you  all. — Yours  ever  truly,     Wm.  Marsh.' 


ONE  HOME  AGAIN. 


313 


'  Ah,  dear  friend,  if  the  Tliracians  wept  over  the  cradle 
but  rejoiced  over  the  tomb,  under  the  idea  of  the  miseries 
of  life  being  ended,  how  much  more  may  Christians  rejoice 
over  the  tomb  of  those  who,  like  the  beloved  Henry,  have 
entered  upon  eternal  joys.  The  loss,  indeed,  must  be  felt 
by  survivors,  and  especially  by  yourself ;  but  in  propor- 
tion as  you  can  look  beyond  the  grave, — for  he  is  not  there, 
— you  will  be  cheered  even  in  the  gloom.  His  heart  was 
overflowing  with  love.  This  arose  from  having  known  and 
believed  the  love  that  God  had  to  him.  And  love  is  the 
true  meetness  for  that  kingdom  which  the  blessed  Ee- 
deemer,  by  overcoming  the  sharpness  of  death,  has  opened 
to  all  believers.  I  enclose  my  little  tract  on  the  loss  of 
friends,  but  you  need  it  not.  May  the  Comforter  bring 
to  your  recollection  every  soothing  thought,  and  fill  you 
with  the  delightful  prospect  of  being  ever  with  those  you 
love,  yea,  ever  with  the  Lord,  the  eternal  fountain  of  joy 
to  all  His  people. — Yours,  dear  friend,  in  true  sympathy, 

'  Wm.  Marsh.' 

on  the  testimony  of  some  unbelievers  to  the 
excellence  of  christianity. 

'  Will  the  quotation  from  Lord  Bolingbroke  answer  any 
purpose  with  Mr.  ? 

'  Under  such  impressions  as  his,  w^hat  deep  research 
there  should  be  as  to  the  evidences  of  the  Divinity  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  what  deep  silence  rather  than 
speaking  lightly  of  it,  or  inducing  others  so  to  speak. 

' "  He  that  believeth  on  Him  is  not  condemned :  but 


3 1 4  MEMOIR  OF  EEY.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

he  that  believeth  not  is  condemned  already,  because 
he  hath  not  believed  in  the  name  of  the  only  begotten 
Son  of  God.  And  this  is  the  condemnation,  that  light  is 
come  into  the  world,  and  men  loved  darkness  rather  than 
light,  because  their  deeds  were  evil"  (John  iii.  18,  19). 
Here  He  solemnly  condemns  wilful  unbelief  But  we 
must  despair  of  none. 

'  That  great  philosopher.  Dr.  Mason  Good,  was  an  un- 
believer, but  he  became  convinced  that  Christianity  must  be 
Divine,  from  the  effect  it  had  produced  on  a  person  he  had 
attended  as  a  medical  adviser.  He  then  read  the  Scrip- 
tures with  diligence,  and  prayed  God  to  enlighten  him, 
and  became  one  of  the  most  useful  Christians  of  the  day. 

'  Lord  Herbert,  a  freethinker,  calls  Christianity  the  best 
religion,  and  acknowledges  that  its  doctrines  and  precepts 
aim  at  the  establishment  of  those  very  articles  of  belief 
in  which  he  says  all  religion  consists.  Dr.  Tindall,  a  free- 
thinker, says,  that  Christianity  is  a  most  holy  religion. 

'  Lord  Bolingbroke  asserts,  that  no  religion  has  ever  ap- 
peared in  the  world,  the  natural  tendency  of  which  is  to 
promote  the  purest  happiness  of  mankind,  like  the  Chris- 
tian faith ;  that  no  system  can  be  more  simple  and  plain. 
"  It  is,"  he  adds,  "  a  complete  system,  adapted  to  answer 
all  the  purposes  of  religion,  natural  and  revealed."  He 
thinks  that  it  could  not  be  opposed  by  thinking  and 
rational  beings,  had  it  been  propagated  with  the  same 
simplicity  with  which  it  was  originally  taught  by  Christ. 
"  Supposing  Christianity  to  have  been  an  invention,  it 
had  been  the  most  amiable  and  the  most  useful  invention 
that  was  ever  imposed  on  mankind  for  their  good." ' 


OXE  HOME  AGAIN. 


315 


'  My  deae  Feiexd, — I  do  not  in  the  least  wonder  at 
your  desolate  feelings.  We  are  not  angels,  but  of  the 
hiunan  nature,  and  sorrow  is  a  part  of  our  portion  here. 
But  your  desolate  feelings  are  no  proofs  that  God  does  not 
love  you.  I  often  think  of  the  wisdom  of  Manoah's  wife 
(Judges  xiii.  23).  You  have  not  only  heard  of  salvation 
by  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  but  have  believed  there  is  no 
salvation  in  any  other ;  and  you  will  find  it  to  be  true, 
and  will  be  enabled  to  rejoice  in  Him,  notwithstanding 
the  shrinking  of  nature  from  the  sorrow  under  which 
you  suffer.  I  lift  up  my  heart  while  writing,  tha.t, 
though  "walking  in  darkness,"  you  may  yet  trust  that 
all  shall  end  well.  .  .  .  You  say  you  "  would,  but  cannot 
give  your  heart  to  God."  "  If  there  be  first  a  willing 
mind,  it  is  accepted."  "  He  knoweth  whereof  we  are  made, 
and  remembereth  that  we  are  dust,"  and  has  compassion 
on  our  infirmities.  One  of  the  Fathers  said,  "  Take  my 
heart,  for  I  cannot  give  it  to  Thee.  Keep  my  heart,  for  I 
cannot  keep  it  for  Thee  ;  and  save  me  in  spite  of  myself." ' 

'  If  Christians  woidd  take  common  sense  as  their 
guide,  they  would  make  such  discoveries  as  to  the  Di^dne 
character  and  the  Divine  purposes,  as  would  astonish  and 
delight  their  hearts.  But  we  must  be  patient  towards  all 
men,  and  not  unchristianize  any  because  they  cannot  see 
with  our  eyes.  As  long  as  they  hold  Christ  the  Head, 
and  derive  an  influence  from  Him  as  members,  all  will  be 
well.  Light  increases  as  I  read,  yet  I  have  nothing  new 
to  advance.  It  is  the  old  truth,  the  everlasting  truth, 
that  God  is  light,  and  God  is  love.* 


316  MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MAESH,  D.D. 

*  If  men  had  studied  how  time  could  be  misspent, 
money  wasted,  temper  injured,  spiritual  duties  neglected, 
and  religion  be  regarded  rather  as  burdensome  than  as 
making  the  happiness  of  man,  they  could  not  have  in- 
vented a  better  mode  than  the  usual  amusements  of  cards, 
assemblies,  theatres,  and  such  like. 

'  Where  the  treasure  is,  there  is  the  heart ;  and  where 
the  heart,  there  the  happiness  ;  and  where  the  happiness, 
there  the  God.' 

ON  THE  TENTH  ANNIVERSARY  OF  HIS  SECOND  DAUGHTER'S 
MARRIAGE. 

'Nov.  2^,  for  21th,  1853. 

'  Lost,  ten  years  ago,  a  daughter,  named  Matilda  Har- 
riett Marsh.  Gained,  ten  years  ago,  a  son,  named  Frederick 
Courteney  Chalmers.  Both  redeemed  property,  belonging 
to  the  Eedeemer  for  ever ;  and,  through  Providence  and 
grace,  both,  with  all  theirs,  mine  for  ever. 

'  Text  for  the  day. 

'  "In  everything,  by  prayer  and  supplication,  with 
thanksgiving,  let  your  requests  be  made  known  unto 
God." 

'  "  And  the  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  understand- 
ing, shall  keep  your  hearts  and  minds  through  Christ 
Jesus." 

*  My  Text 

'  The  God  which  hath  fed  me  all  my  life  long  unto  this 


OXE  HOME  AGAIN'. 


317 


day,  the  Angel  wliicli  redeemed  me  from  all  e^-il,  bless 
them  all  W:\r.  Maesh.' 

'  Whoever  will  bring  all  '■'  the  property "  here  before 
Christmas  shall  have  their  carriage  paid,  and  be  hand- 
somely rewarded.' 

By  the  request  of  Mr.  Chalmers,  my  father  preached  once 
every  Smiday  in  the  parish  church  ;  from  time  to  time,  also, 
he  assisted  some  of  the  neighbom^ing  clergy.  There  was  a 
morning  service  every  Wednesday  in  Beckenham  Church, 
after  which  he  regularly  preached.  Several  of  the  clergy 
and  laity  from  the  surrounding  parishes  felt  it  to  be  a 
pri^alege  to  attend;  gathering  ^^usdom  from  his  ripened 
experience,  and  deep  Scriptural  knowledge.  Some  of  these 
friends  would  come  to  the  rectory  afterwards ;  and,  whilst 
partaking  of  the  ever-ready  hospitality  to  be  found  there, 
enjoyed  finding  a  place  in  the  genial  family  cuxle  of 
which  he  was  the  centre  and  the  sunshine. 

Children,  grandchildren,  and  in  later  years,  great-grand- 
children gathered  aroimd  him,  delighting  in  the  varied 
play  of  his  pleasant  wit,  his  store  of  anecdotes,  told  with 
bre^dty,  point,  and  animation ;  his  brilliant  spirits,  and 
inexhaustible  sweetness  of  temper. 

And  none  the  less  were  they  impressed  by  the  manner 
in  which  he  held  every  gift  as  a  trust  to  be  used  for  his 
Master;  and  consecrated  every  affection  of  that  loviog 
heart,  by  setting  the  Lord  always  before  Him. 

From  the  time  when  the  Lord  had  called  him,  the 
language  of  his  heart  had  been — ■ 


318 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


'  Become  my  rejoicing,  my  stronghold  of  love, 
My  aim  and  my  end  ; 
My  glory  on  earth,  and  my  glory  above, 
0  Jesus,  my  Friend  ! ' 

And  now,  in  old  age,  the  steadily  increasing  knowledge 
of  liis  Saviour,  rooted  in  ever- deepening  humility,  had 
ripened  into  a  conscious  and  abiding  '  fellowship  with  the 
Father  and  with  His  Son  Jesus  Christ.' 

He  sustained  the  freshness  of  his  mind  by  diligent 
reading.  From  eight  in  the  morning  till  twelve  at  night 
he  was  constantly  occupied  in  reading,  writing,  or  con- 
versation. Works  of  literature  or  science,  the  press  of 
the  day,  leading  reviews,  biographies,  and  writings  on 
prophetical  subjects,  formed  his  recreation.  But  his 
studies  lay  amongst  the  works  of  the  old  divines.  The 
writings  of  the  Eeformers,  of  Archbishop  Leighton,  and 
Bishops  J ewel,  Horne,  and  Hall  were  some  of  his  especial 
favourites.  In  Owen  and  Erskine,  also,  he  found  much 
food  for  thought.  Not  less  was  his  interest  in  con- 
tinuing to  hold  communion,  through  their  writings, 
with  the  fathers  of  his  own  early  day — Scott,  ITewton, 
Komaine,  and  other  leaders  of  the  evangelical  revival  of 
the  last  century- -men  of  whom  he  was  wont  to  say, 
'  There  were  giants  in  those  days/ 

But  far  above  all  other  books,  did  he  read,  mark, 
learn,  and  inwardly  digest,  the  Word  of  God.  A  few 
years  later,  he  told  his  children,  that  besides  the  constant 
study  of  the  'New  Testament,  he  had  read  the  Bible 
straight  through  more  than  fifty  times.  Eich  was  the 
harvest  reaped  from  his  meditation  day  and  night  in  the 


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law  of  liis  God,  by  those  who  conversed  with  him  on 
Scriptural  subjects,  or  who  had  the  privilege  of  being  pre- 
sent when  he  conducted  family  worship. 

It  would  be  vain  to  attempt,  by  any  fragments  pre- 
ser^'ed,  to  give  an  idea  of  the  mingled  brightness  and 
wisdom  of  his  conversations.  But  some  of  the  following 
thoughts  may  recal  to  those  who  knew  him  happy  hours 
passed  in  his  society. 

These  words  were  noted  down,  from  time  to  time,  by 
his  eldest  daughter,  Mrs.  Francis  Trench,  whose  mind 
was  in  such  harmony  with  her  father's  that  she  was 
peculiarly  happy  in  calling  forth  his  ^iews  on  scriptm^al 
subjects.    She  thus  writes  : — 

'  One  Sunday  evening,  when  he  was  delighting  us  by 
his  presence  at  Islip  Eectory,  after  I  had  been  singing  his 
favourite  h}Tnn, — 

"  There  is  a  land  of  pure  delight," 

he  gave  me  another  rendering  of  the  last  verse,  which 
turns  it  into  a  pmyer  : — 

"  Place  me,  0  Lord,  where  Moses  stood, 
The  promised  land  to  see ; 
Not  Jordan's  stream,  nor  death's  cold  flood, 
Could  keep  me  back  from  Thee." 

'  Then  he  added,  "  Do  you  know  that  Moses  died  of 
joy?  He  was  not  allowed  to  enter  the  promised  land. 
There  were  reasons  for  this.  Moses  was  typical  of  the 
law,  and  therefore  could  not  enter  the  land  of  promise. 
Also,  the  Lord  would  reprove  his  conduct  on  one  occasion ; 
but  though  He  could  not  allow  him  to  enter  Canaan,  He 
would  let  him  see  it.    '  Oh  let  me  see  that  goodly  land  1' 


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MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


So  the  Lord  told  him  to  go  up  the  mount.  When  Moses 
was  on  the  top  of  Pisgah" — (here  he  stood  up  and  pointed 
out,  in  imagination,  the  various  places) — "the  Lord  told 
him  to  look  at  the  land.  There  is  Bethlehem,  where 
Messiah  will  be  born;  there  is  Galilee,  where  He  ^dll 
frequently  teach  the  people ;  there  is  Jerusalem,  where 
He  will  reprove  the  errors  of  the  priests ;  there  is  Geth- 
semane,  where  will  commence  His  dreadful  agony ;  there 
is  Calvary,  where  He  will  die  a  sacrifice  for  the  sins  of 
mankind;  there  is  the  grave  of  Joseph  of  Arimathea, 
where  His  body  will  be  laid.  From  thence  He  will  rise 
from  the  dead,  and  appear  to  many  of  His  disciples. 
From  Mount  Olivet  He  will  ascend  gloriously  into  heaven. 
Then  His  gospel  will  be  preached,  and  a  way  will  be 
open  to  Jew  and  Gentile  to  have,  through  Him,  eternal 
life.  But,  Moses,  your  people  must  pass  through  a  fiery 
trial.  They  must  be  driven  from  their  own  land,  and 
trodden  under  foot  of  the  Gentiles,  till  the  '  times  of  the 
Gentiles  be  fulfilled;'  and  when  the  tribulation  is  ended, 
they  shall  see  Messiah  in  yonder  clouds.  They  shall  be 
converted  to  Him.  They  shall  be  more  blessed  than  ever. 
From  that  period  He  will  put  His  fear  into  them,  that 
they  shall  never  depart  from  Him.  Jerusalem  shall  be 
the  metropolis  of  the  globe,  and  the  holy  of  holies  ; 
Judea,  the  holy  place ;  and  the  rest  of  the  world  the  court 
of  the  Gentiles.  Thus  shall  God  be  glorified  in  the  final 
glory  of  your  people  !"  And  here  he  acted  Moses  fainting 
and  dying — "  '  I  can  bear  no  more  !'  He  had  had  such  a 
wonderful  view  of  the  whole  dispensation,  that  his  heart 
burst  with  joy." 


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321 


'  Speaking,  afterwards  about  a  testimony  on  a  dying 
bed  as  not  being  needful,  but  ^^leasard  when  given,  be 
mentioned  that  Mr.  Cadogan  had  said,  "Don't  tell  me 
what  his  death  was,  tell  me  what  his  life  was." 

'  On  another  occasion,  he  remarked,  "  If  I  were  to  speak 
to  a  wilful  infidel,  who  propagates  his  unbelief,  I  should 
say,  You  are  both  unreasonable  and  uncharitable.  What 
do  you  mean  ?  It  is  not  the  way  of  sound  reason  to  take 
the  side  of  danger.  If  this  Book  be  true,  where  are  you 
then?  You  take  the  side  of  danger,  therefore  you  are 
unreasonable.  And  you  are  uncharitable.  This  Book 
has  been  the  comfort  of  many  a  sorrowing  heart  in  this 
world.  They  have  drawn  their  comfort  thence.  It  has 
given  them  a  hope  beyond  this  world  and  its  trials,  beyond 
death  and  the  grave.  If  you  take  this  Book  from  them, 
what  have  you  to  give  in  its  stead  ?  See  how  uncharitable 
you  are." 

'  Speaking  of  views  which  would,  in  this  day,  be  called 
Eitualistic,  he  said,  "They  put  tradition  in  the  place  of 
Scripture  ;  the  priesthood  in  the  place  of  Christ ;  and  the 
Sacraments  in  the  place  of  the  Holy  Spirit." 

'  "  There  are  two  things  a  man  should  do  :  Follow  his 
conscience,  and  endeavour  to  get  his  conscience  as  much 
enlightened  as  he  can." 

'  One  evening  he  gave  us  a  beautiful  commentary  on 
the  Eomans ;  and,  at  the  last  chapter,  he  said,  "  Who  are 

X 


322 


MEMOIR  OF  KEY.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


those  that  may  help  in  this  work?  'Phoebe,  our  sister;' 
'  Tryphena  and  Tryphosa ; '  and  you  know  the  list. 
Women  lent  their  aid  then ;  and  women,  as  well  as  men, 
may  lend  their  aid  now." 

'  Then,  speaking  of  visiting  the  people  at  Islip,  he  gave 
me  the  following  instructions  :  "  In  your  visits,  I  would  be 
short,  not  to  tire  the  people,  nor  to  take  up  too  much  of 
their  time.  You  might  say  something  like  this  :  '  A  soul, 
a  Saviour,  and  a  heaven.*  '  Time  is  short,  with  all  its 
trials.  Eternity  will  be  long,  with  all  its  blessings  and 
then  a  text  or  two  of  Scripture.  A  soul :  '  What  shall 
it  profit  a  man,  if  he  gain  the  whole  world,  and  lose  his 
own  soul?'  A  Saviour,  who  'came  to  seek  and  to  save 
that  which  was  lost.'  A  heaven  :  '  In  my  Father's  house 
are  many  mansions.' " 

*  He  told  me  of  an  old  woman,  living  by  herself  in  an 
isolated  cottage  at  Ashampstead,  whom  he  asked  one  day, 
"  Molly,  are  you  not  afraid  sometimes  of  being  alone  all 
night  ? "  to  which  she  replied, 

'*  My  noonday  walks  He  shall  attend, 
And  all  my  midnight  hours  defend." 

'  One  Sunday  morning,  he  said,  "  May  this  Sabbath 
day  be  a  high  day  to  many  souls,"  and  then  made  the 
following  verse : — 

'*  May  many  troubled  souls  this  day, 
Like  little  Samuel,  learn  to  pray, 

'  Speak,  for  thy  servant  heareth.' 
And  many  souls,  oppressed  with  guilt, 
Hear  of  that  blood  on  Calvary  spilt, 

Which  the  believer  cheereth." 


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323 


'  Speaking  of  the  passage,  Heb,  xi.  6,  lie  said,  "  Two 
tilings  to  believe  :  His  being,  and  His  bounty." 

' "  Faitli,  hope,  and  love  are  the  great  privileges  of  our 
religion.  Let  us  daily  pray  that  God  may  give  us  the 
increase  of  faith,  hope,  and  love. 

"  Faith,  in  the  first  Coming  of  our  Lord ;  hope,  in 
His  second  Coming ;  love,  to  Him  who  came  into  our 
world  to  save  us, — who  lived  and  died,  and  rose  again, 
and  ascended  into  Heaven,  and  ever  liveth  to  make  inter- 
cession for  us. 

"  Hope  of  the  second  Coming  of  our  blessed  Eedeemer. 
The  Spirit  of  Christ  in  all  the  prophets  testified  beforehand 
of  the  sufferings  of  Christ  and  the  glory  that  should  follow. 
Xot  one  book  of  the  New  Testament  that  does  not  refer 
to  it.  In  the  1st  Epistle  to  the  Tliessalonians,  it  is  men- 
tioned five  times. 

' "  God  is  love ;  and  he  that  dtveUetJi  in  love  dw^elleth 
in  God,  and  God  in  him.  Hereafter  it  will  be  inscribed 
on  the  skies  of  the  universe,  that '  God  is  Love.'  " 

'  One  of  my  sisters  went  with  me  to  his  sitting-room 
late  one  night  to  persuade  him  to  leave  off  reading  and 
retire  to  rest.  He  was  kneelini?,  with  his  back  to  the  door 
and  did  not  see  or  hear  us  (from  his  deafness).  We  paused 
for  a  moment  before  noiselessly  retreating.  His  hands 
were  upraised,  and  we  caught  the  words,  "  Hasten,  Lord, 
the  time  when  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  shall  become 
the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  His  Christ ;  when 
Thou  shalt  make  Jerusalem  a  praise  in  the  earth ; 
when  all  shall  sing,  '  Salvation  to  our  God  and  tlie 


324 


MEMOm  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


Lamb.  Hallelujali  !  for  the  Lord  God  omnipotent 
reigneth.    Hallelujah !' " 

'  At  the  close  of  Easter  Day  he  said,  "What  an  indulgence 
God  has  granted  me  in  assembling  so  large  a  number  of 
my  children  and  grandchildren  for  Easter.  All  mercies 
come  to  us  through  Eedemption. 

*  Every  blessing,  without  measure, 
Flows  to  us  through.  Christ  the  Lord.'  " 

'  "An  old  clergyman  once  said,  'When  I  come  to  die,  I  shall 
have  my  greatest  grief  and  my  greatest  joy ;  my  greatest 
grief  that  I  have  done  so  little  for  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  my 
greatest  joy  that  the  Lord  Jesus  has  done  so  much  for  me.' " 

* "  For  a  thrice  threefold  cord,  look  to  Father,  Son,  and 
Holy  Ghost,  as  the  objects  of  faith,  hope,  and  love,  and 
this  will  enable  you  to  live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly. 
Yet  a  little  while,  and  we  shall  find  ourselves  in  a  world 
where  every  thing  will  be  to  our  hearts'  content.  I  wish 
I  could  think  of  it  morning,  noon,  and  night,  and  of  Him 
who  became  poor  that  I  might  be  thus  rich ;  a  man  of 
sorrows,  that  I  might  be  thus  joyful." ' 

'  "  Waiting  for  the  adoption,  to  wit,  the  redemption  of 
the  body"  (Kom.  viii.  23).  The  idea  is  from  ancient 
customs. 

'  "  A  private  adoption.  A  public  adoption.  The  Chris- 
tian's private  adoption  (Gal.  iv,  6).  His  public  adoption, 
the  Eesurrection." 


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325 


'   Cliristian  friendsliip  soon  begins  and  never  ends." 

"'I  am  still  able  to  preacli  twice  a  Aveek,  but  I  confess 
weariness ;  it  is  one  of  the  few  things  in  which  we  can 
be  apostolic." 

Trne  science  and  true  religion  are  friends, — the  God 
of  nature  is  the  God  of  grace." 

* "  No  effort  m  the  Lord's  service  is  ever  in  vain :  but 
trust  in  the  merit  of  any  service  is  always  in  vain  ;  and  it 
is  remarkable  that  those  who  do  most  good  works  are  the 
last  persons  in  the  world  to  trust  in  them.  '  ^Miat  hast 
thou  that  thou  hast  not  received?'  is  a  text  continually 
before  their  eyes." 

'  "  What  would  this  world  be  without  the  sun,  and  what 
would  our  hearts  be  without  the  Sun  of  Eighteousness  ?" 

' "  I  would  not  live  in  this  world  without  a  Providence, 
nor  leave  it  without  a  Saviour/' 

' "  Let  us  look  to  the  antitype  of  the  brazen  serpent ;  to 
Him  who  uttered  the  words,  '  It  is  finished.'  Let  us  look 
at  J oseph  of  Arimathea's  empty  tomb ;  let  us  go  to  the 
mount  of  Olives,  and  behold  Him  ascending  to  the  Father's 
right  hand.  Oh,  let  us  behold  Him  as  ever  living  to  make 
intercession  for  us ;  as  oftering  up  our  poor  prayers  and 
praises,  perfuming  them  with  His  merits,  and  see  that  we 
are  accounted  righteous  in  the  sight  of  God  for  His  sake, 
our  sins  forgiven,  our  poor  sen^ices  accepted.    Let  us  pray 


326  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

that  all  unbelieving  doubts  and  fears  may  be  removed ; 
regard  all  discouraging  thoughts  as  coming  from  beneath, 
all  encouraging  thoughts  as  coming  from  above.  Pray 
that  you  may  thus  overcome  the  evil  one.  Men  are  little 
aware  of  his  great  and  mysterious  power,  but  thus  you 
shall  not  be  ignorant  of  his  devices.  Look  to  Jesus  to 
bring  you  safe  to  eternal  life,  and  believe  that  nothing- 
shall  separate  you  from  His  love  ;  *  neither  death  nor  life, 
nor  angels,  nor  principalities,  nor  powers,  nor  any  other 
creature,  shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God, 
which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord and  thus  you  shall 
have  joy  in  believing." 

'  The  following  was  written  in  a  copy  of  Mr.  Trench's  Life 
of  St.  John,  when  presented  to  a  friend  by  my  father  : — 

To  beheve  with  St.  John, 
To  love  with  St.  John, 
To  serve  with  St.  John ; 
This  is  eternal  Hfe, 
This  is  blessedness, 
This  is  usefulness." 

'  "  If  I  were  to  fall  into  a  river  and  were  just  drowning, 
and  some  benevolent  man  jumped  in  and  saved  me,  I 
should  praise  that  man  for  what  he  had  done  for  me  ;  but 
if  afterwards  I  heard  that  he  was  a  very  good  and  a  very 
benevolent  man,  and  did  much  good  in  the  world,  I  should 
praise  him  for  what  he  was  in  himself  So  have  we  cause 
to  praise  the  Lord  for  what  he  has  done  for  us,  and  for 
what  He  is  in  Himself.  *  Let  everything  that  hath  breath 
praise  the  Lord.' " 


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327 


'  One  evening  my  husband  spoke  of  a  reason  why  some 
to  whom  he  had  alluded  had  taken  refuge  in  Eomanism, 
namely,  that  they  could  not  hear  the  thought  of  re- 
sponsibility. My  father  remarked,  "  Then  they  choose  a 
fellow- creature  to  be  responsible  for  them  rather  than  the 
Almighty  Saviour  Himself  I  think,"  he  added,  "that 
reply  of  Judah  to  his  father  Jacob  would  be  true  and 
beautiful  if  applied  to  the  Saviour,  representing  Him  as 
saying  to  the  Father  touching  every  soul  committed  to 
His  care,  '  I  will  be  surety  for  him  ;  of  my  hand  shalt  thou 
require  him  :  if  I  bring  him  not  unto  thee,  and  set  him 
before  thee,  then  let  me  bear  the  blame  for  ever.'" 

'  Mr.  Trench  quoted  a  saying  of  old  Fid-ler's : — "  He  that 
falls  into  sin  is  a  man ;  he  that  grieves  at  sin  is  a  saint ; 
he  that  boasts  of  sin  is  a  devil."  My  father  replied,  "  Only 
one  thing  more.  He  that  forgives  it  is  God." 

'"We  should  endeavour  to  remember  our  mercies.  We 
remember  our  trials,  but  we  are  too  apt  to  forget  our 
mercies.    Among  the  greatest  is  the  forgiveness  of  sins." 

'Speaking  of  the  blessings  of  salvation  by  Christ,  he 
said, — 

"  K  a  person  is  a  believer  in  Christ,  what  does  he  gain  ? 

"  He  gains  the  pardon  of  all  his  sins. 

"  What  more  does  he  gain  ? 

"  He  gains  acceptance  with  God. 

"  Anything  more  ? 

"  Yes,  the  Holy  Spirit  to  sanctify  him. 


328 


MEMOIR  OF  KEY.  WILLIAM  INIAESH,  D.D. 


"  Anything  more  ? 

"  Yes,  all  things  become  blessings.    The  curse  is  turned 
into  a  blessing. 
"  Anything  more  ? 

"  Yes,  all  the  strength  he  needs  by  the  way ;  and  then 
an  entrance  into  Paradise. 
"  Anything  more  ? 

"  Yes,  the  resurrection  of  the  body,  made  like  unto 
Christ's  glorious  body. 
"  Anything  more  ? 

"  Yes,  to  sit  with  Christ  on  His  Throne ;  to  reign  with 
Him. 

"  Anything  more  ? 

"  I  will  tell  you  at  the  end  of  eternity." 

'In  speaking  on  the  subject  of  introducing  rehgious 
conversation  in  society,  without  knowing  the  character  of 
those  present,  or  how  it  will  be  taken,  he  observed,  "  We 
are  sometimes  too  ready  to  fancy  that  it  will  not  be  well 
received;  but,"  he  added,  "it  is  very  difficult  at  times, 
specially  if  there  is  nobody  to  support  one.  "We  have  in 
the  Proverbs,  'A  word  spoken  in  due  season,  how  good 
is  it.'  The  figure  also  is  very  remarkable,  '  seasoned  with 
salt.'     It  must  not  be  too  much." 

'  On  a  visit  of  my  dear  father  to  us  at  Reading,  in  May 
1854,  he  told  us,  "  I  was  baptized,  confirmed,  ordained 
deacon,  and  appointed  lecturer,  all  in  one  parish.  Coming 
here,"  he  added,  "  reminds  me  of  all  the  way  by  which  the 
Lord  hath  led  me.     A  call  for  much  humility  and 


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329 


much  gratitude.  '  Thou  shalt  consider  iu  thine  heart, 
and  remember  all  the  way  in  which  the  Lord  thy  God 
led  thee.'" 

'Eeferring  to  the  future  state,  beyond  the  millennial 
period,  he  said,  "  The  mediatorial  work  having  accom- 
plished all  that  was  intended,  then  the  Triune  God  be- 
comes '  all  in  all.' "  He  considered  that  the  inhabitants 
of  our  earth  in  the  millennium  would  be  a  race  of  men 
preparing  for  a  higher  state,  as  Adam  in  Paradise,  suppos- 
ing he  had  lived  a  thousand  years  there  in  an  unfallen 
state."  Then  he  added,  "  It  appears  to  me  that  the  millen- 
nial world  is  to  be  distinct  from  the  '  kings  and  priests.* 
Kings  have  subjects,  and  priests  have  services.  They  are 
to  '  reign  with  Christ'  during  the  thousand  years ;  and 
to  '  serve  Him/  '  seeing  His  face.' 

' "  If  we  can  only  say  Hosanna  now,  we  shall  sing 
Hallelujah  then." 

* "  That  is  a  fine  expression,  not  only  liberty,  but 
*  glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of  God.'  There  are  two 
other  things  mentioned  in  that  chapter  (Eom.  viii.),  the 
'  manifestation  of  the  sons  of  God/  and  the  '  redemption 
of  the  body.'  They  have  not  yet  been  manifested.  '  The 
world  knoweth  us  not  /  but  *  when  manifested,'  they  will 
enjoy  their  glorious  liberty  in  a  redeemed  body." 

'  He  remarked,  "  Though  the  passages  are  not  many,  I 
think  they  are  very  decided  as  to  the  consciousness  of  the 
spirit  in  the  separate  state,  and  quite  warrant  the  beauti- 


330  MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MAESH,  B.D. 

ful  expression  in  onr  funeral  service,  *  Witli  whom  do  live 
the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect.'  Tlie  most  clear,  I 
tliink,  is  '  absent  from  the  body,  present  with  the  Lord.' " 

'  Speaking  of  Eomans  v.,  he  said,  It  is  a  wonderful 
chapter.  The  contrast  between  the  two  Adams,  the  one 
bringing  death,  the  other  life.  The  one  bringing  evil,  the 
other  good.  The  whole  of  blessing,  preponderating  over 
the  curse,  will  be  'much  more'  than  we  can  tell." 

' "  The  Law  is  subservient  to  the  Gospel,  by  convincing 
us  of  our  need  of  a  Saviour,  and  the  Gospel,  when  believed, 
becomes  subservient  to  the  Law,  by  producing  in  us  the 
spirit  of  love." 

' "  Our  remedy  under  the  consciousness  of  sin  is  to  be 
found  in  Christ's  merits  and  atonement.  Our  comfort 
under  trials  and  temptations  is  in  His  sympathy;  but 
we  do  not  want  sympathy  in  sin — for  that  we  have  His 
hlood  that  *  cleanseth  from  all  sin.'  " 

'"The  'full  assurance  of  faith'  is  a  bounden  duty.  I 
have  no  right  to  doubt  the  Gospel.  If  I  do  not  believe 
the  record,  I  make  God  a  liar.  The  '  full  assurance  of 
hope'  is  in  our  own  perseverance  to  the  end.  There  are 
many  persons  who  have  the  fuU  assurance  of  faith,  who 
think  they  have  no  faith  at  all.  They  do  not  doubt  the 
Gospel,  but  they  doubt  their  own  interest  in  it.  You 
evangelicals,"  he  playfully  added,  "make  faith  everything  ! 
— So  we  do.  Believe  and  live  ;  believe  and  hope ;  believe 
and  obey;  believe  and  love;  believe  and  suffer;  believe 
and  serve;  believe  and  go  to  heaven.    I  have  only  one 


ONE  HOME  AGAIN. 


331 


thing  more  to  say.  Tliere  is  a  woDderfiil  passage  to 
encourage  the  lowest  degree  of  faith  (Heb.  xi.  6)  :  '  He 
that  Cometh  to  God'  has  only  to  believe  two  things,  the 
being  and  the  bounty  of  God,  and  then  he  will  have  a 
wonderful  display  of  that  bounty  in  tlie  Gospel." 

* "  There  was  a  serpent  in  the  Paradise  of  man.  There 
will  be  no  serpent  in  the  Paradise  of  God.  That  alone 
will  make  a  vast  difference." 

'  Speaking  of  Psalm  ciii.,  in  an  exposition,  he  said, 
"  David's  harp  was  in  beautiful  tune  when  he  wrote  this, 
and  he  earnestly  wishes  to  keep  it  in  tune,  and  that  to 
the  best  tune,  the  tune  of  praise,  so  he  repeats  it,  '  Bless 
the  Lord,  0  my  soul ;  bless  tlie  Lord,  and  forget  not  all 
His  benefits.'  The  memory  is  too  often  far  too  tenacious 
of  what  it  ought  to  forget,  and  too  easily  forgets  what  it 
ought  to  remember." 

'  "  As  to  religious  reading,  T  am  more  than  ever  delighted 
with  the  four  Gospels.  I  like  daily  to  read  something 
that  our  blessed  Saviour  said,  or  did,  or  suffered  w^hilst  on 
earth.  There  are  four  things  remarkabh'  noticeable  in 
His  character :  Majesty  and  meekness,  power  and  gentle- 
ness. The  greatest  man  upon  earth  is  he  who  is  most 
humble.  I  remember  an  old  h}^nn,  speaking  of  searching 
for  the  Saviour  when  He  w^as  upon  earth,  having  this 
line — 

'  Mark  the  lowest,  that  is  He.'  " 


In  the  spring  of  1852,  Mr.  Chalmers  was  requested  to 
preach  at  Colchester  ;  and  on  his  return  to  Beckenham, 


332  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

he  brought  to  his  father-in-law  such  an  urgent  entreaty 
from  his  old  flock,  that,  after  an  absence  of  twenty-three 
years,  he  would  once  more  come  amongst  them,  that  his 
heart  felt  constrained  to  comply  with  it.  It  was  tliere- 
fore  arranged  that  at  the  approaching  anniversary  of  the 
Church  Missionary  Society,  he  should  preach  for  it  in  the 
pulpit  of  St.  Peter's,  by  the  warm  invitation  of  the  vicar ; 
and  spend  a  few  days  amidst  his  old  and  faithful  friends. 

Accordingly,  in  the  month  of  June,  he  went  thither, 
accompanied  by  several  members  of  his  family.  On 
arriving  at  the  station,  he  found  a  crowd  of  well-remem- 
bered faces  smiling  their  welcomes  ;  whilst  on  some  of  the 
elder  ones  were  tears  of  joy.  Peals  rang  out  from  belfry 
to  belfry  of  the  distant  churches,  sounding  softly  across 
the  river.  On  the  road  from  the  station  to  the  town, 
groups  of  aged  women  were  seen,  waiting  to  catch  a 
glimpse  of  their  beloved  old  pastor's  face.  Windows  had 
been  engaged,  for  invalids  to  see  him,  in  the  street  along 
which  he  was  to  pass  ;  whilst  a  younger  generation  who 
had  been  trained  to  revere  him,  and  to  know  his  face  by 
the  portrait  which  hung  in  so  many  homes,  blithely  fol- 
lowed the  carriage. 

Opposite  the  door  of  the  vicarage,  a  large  number  of 
men  had  assembled,  who  reverently  raised  their  hats,  but 
suppressed  a  shout  of  welcome,  because  one  who  had  been 
no  less  dear  to  them,  and  who  was  by  his  side  when  he 
left  that  place,  was  no  longer  an  inhabitant  of  this  world. 

On  Sunday  morning,  St.  Peter's  was  crowded  with  wor- 
shippers ;  and  when  the  musical  tones  of  that  familiar 
voice,  which  had  not  sounded  within  those  walls  for  so 


OXE  HOME  AGAIX. 


333 


many  years,  were  heard  at  the  commencement  of  the  Com- 
munion service,  a  suppressed  exclamation  of  thankfulness 
was  audible  in  several  parts  of  the  church.  He  preached 
Christ  that  day  with  even  more  than  his  usual  tender  ear- 
nestness. In  the  afternoon,  he  addressed  the  children 
and  their  teachers  in  the  schoolroom ;  and,  in  the  evening, 
again  preached  at  St.  Peter's. 

The  old  beadle  returned  for  the  day  to  an  office  for 
which  his  strength  had  long  been  unequal,  and  followed 
his  former  vicar  with  watchful  care,  looking  more  than  once 
into  the  pulpit  to  see  that  he  had  him  safe  at  last.  Seve- 
ral of  the  poor  came  long  before  the  hour  for  ser^dce,  in 
order  to  secure  places  between  the  vestry  and  the  pulpit, 
that  they  might  be  able  to  touch  his  gown  as  he  passed. 
Every  foot  of  ground  in  the  church  was  occupied;  yet 
crowds  were  obliged  to  retire  disappointed  of  entrance. 
A  clergyman  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  two  Dissenting 
ministers  in  the  town,  had  closed  their  respective  places 
of  worship  that  they  might  give  their  congregations  the 
opportunity  of  attending  at  St.  Peter's  that  evening,  to 
hear  words  of  '  truth  and  soberness '  from  the  lips  of  one 
who  had  so  long  been  '  esteemed  very  highly  in  love  for 
his  work's  sake.' 

Early  in  the  week,  my  father  pleaded  the  cause  of  the 
Church  Missionary  Society  at  tlie  anniversary  meetings. 
WTierever  he  went,  his  appearance  was  hailed  with  enthu- 
siasm ;  and  every  word  which  fell  from  his  lips  was  trea- 
sured by  that  grateful  people.  The  old  tie,  never  broken, 
was  renewed  in  fresh  strength  ;  and  year  after  year,  from 
that  time,  until  his  health  began  to  fail,  he  went  to  Col- 


334 


MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MAESH,  D.D. 


Chester  to  preach  and  to  speak  for  the  Bible,  the  Jews,  or 
the  Church  Missionary  Society. 

These  visits  afforded  him  the  greatest  pleasure ;  not 
merely  from  the  gratification  of  the  personal  attach- 
ment of  so  many  in  different  classes  of  life,  but  he  had  the 
joy,  which  an  apostle  counted  unsurpassed,  of  seeing  that 
his  children  walked  in  the  Truth. 

His  excellent  successor,  the  Eev.  Samuel  CaiT,  ^yho,  in 
his  boyhood,  had  been  led  to  the  Saviour  by  my  father's 
instrumentality,  welcomed  him  with  almost  filial  affection; 
and  when,  after  his  death,  a  stranger  filled  his  place,  it 
was  with  no  stranger's  heart  that  the  Eev.  Henry  Caddell 
received  the  aged  pastor.  He  opened  his  church  and  his 
home  to  welcome  him,  with  loving  respect,  as  a  father  in 
Christ,  delighted  that  his  parishioners  should  benefit  by 
the  experience  of  one  so  long  and  deeply  taught  of  God. 

On  these  occasions,  he  visited  many  of  the  sick,  who 
had  been  formerly  members  of  his  flock.  Amongst  others 
the  Miss  Keymers,  who  in  years  of  sickness  and  trial  were 
finding  the  comfort  of  the  truths  they  had  learnt  in  early 
life  from  his  lips.  Mrs.  Francis,  a  warm-hearted  and 
consistent  Christian,  between  whose  family  and  his  own  a 
steadfast  friendship  had  been  kept  up,  principally  by  the 
frequent  visits  and  correspondence  of  her  eldest  daughter ; 
whose  gentle  and  retiring  character,  blended  wdth  re- 
markable unselfishness  and  benevolence,  had  w^on  his  most 
affectionate  regard.  Since  his  latest  visit  to  Colchester, 
that  beloved  mother  and  daughter  have  both  fallen  asleep 
in  Jesus. 

On  leaving  Colchester,  my  father  usually  went  to 


ONE  HOME  AGAIX. 


335 


Birch  Hall,  the  home  of  liis  long-loved  friends,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Charles  Gray  Eound.  It  was  his  delight  to  attend 
their  annual  Church  Missionary  meeting,  held  in  the 
spacious  hall,  where  neighbours  and  tenants,  to  the  num- 
ber of  three  hundred,  assembled  to  hear  from  him  and 
others,  stories  of  the  gospel  of  peace  in  heathen  lands. 
But  he  never  allowed  himself  to  pleading  for  a  society 
without  remembering  his  ambassadorship,  and  its  claims  ; 
bearing  in  mind  to  beseech  those  around  him,  in  apostolic 
language,  to  '  be  reconciled  to  God.'  Xor  did  he  forget  to 
urge  upon  those  who  had  found  the  way  of  peace,  to  '  press 
toward  the  mark,  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God 
in  Christ  Jesus.' 

These  visits  to  Birch  Hall  were  always  seasons  of  most 
refreshing  Christian  intercourse,  not  only  with  Mr.  and 
[Mrs.  Eound,  in  whom  he  delighted;  but  also  from  the 
enjoyment  he  found  in  the  society  of  the  rector  of  Birch 
(the  Eev.  AVilliam  Harrison),  between  whom  and  himself 
there  existed  a  peculiar  sympathy  of  character  and  view. 

In  the  year  1853,  my  father  visited  Terling  Place,  in 
Essex,  the  residence  of  his  beloved  and  valued  friend 
Lord  Eayleigh.  In  former  years  Lord  Eayleigh  had  been 
quartered,  for  a  short  time,  in  Colchester,  when  he  had 
but  recently  received  the  message  of  life  and  peace.  Lord 
Eayleigh  not  only  made  diligent  use  of  his  leisure  in 
attending  the  public  ministry  at  St.  Peter's,  but  also 
availed  himself  of  every  opportunity  of  gainhig  help  and 
strength  in  private  intercourse  and  friendship  wdth  my 
father. 

They  met  again,  after  many  years,  with  undiminished 


336  MEMOIR  OF  KEY.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

feelings  of  attachment ;  and  Lord  Eayleigh's  welcome 
was  warmly  seconded  by  his  wife,  who,  though  until  then 
a  stranger,  had  ever  after  her  own  place  in  the  affections 
of  her  husband's  old  and  revered  friend.  Here  also  he 
met,  for  the  first  time,  one  whose  manly  frankness  and 
noble  simplicity  of  character,  combined  with  his  bright 
and  fervent  piety,  at  once  gained  my  father's  heart ;  and 
who,  on  his  part,  looked  up  to  the  aged  Christian  with 
a  tender  veneration,  which  rapidly  ripened  into  a  close 
communion  of  spirit  rarely  seen  between  two  friends  of 
such  different  ages.  The  young  stranger  was  Lady  Eay- 
leigh's eldest  brother,  Captain  Hedley  Vicars,  of  the  97th 
Kegiment,  shortly  afterwards  to  become  well  known  as  a 
devoted  soldier  of  the  cross  and  his  country. 

On  my  father's  return  to  Beckenham,  after  the  first  of 
his  visits  to  Colchester,  he  was  deeply  interested  in  a 
medical  man,  who  had  come  to  stay  in  the  village  in  a 
hopeless  consumption ;  and  who  was  in  deep  despondency 
of  heart,  as  well  as  sceptical  in  his  views  of  revealed 
religion.  Great  was  the  joy  to  my  father  of  watching  the 
opening  of  the  fine  mind  of  the  sufferer  to  '  the  truth  as  it 
is  in  Jesus ; '  whilst  to  Mr.  Eeeve,  the  very  sight  of  my 
father's  face  seemed  to  bring  thoughts  of  peace  and  joy. 

In  the  summer  of  1853,  the  numbers  of  workmen  as- 
sembling for  the  building  of  the  Crystal  Palace  at  Syden- 
ham, and  for  the  formation  of  the  grounds,  brought  a 
great  and  long-lasting  interest  to  Beckenham  Eectory. 
My  father  shared  in  the  whole,  and  in  every  detail  of  the 
work,  with  even  more  than  his  usual  animation  and  won- 
derful power  of  sympathy.    Althougli  age  prevented  his 


OXE  HOME  AGAIX. 


337 


going  much  amongst  them,  yet,  whenever  they  were 
brought  within  his  reach,  his  Idndly  looks  and  venerable 
appearance  caused  his  words  of  counsel  to  be  listened  to 
with  respectful  interest.  He  always  addressed  them  after 
their  tea-parties  in  the  grounds  of  the  rectory ;  and  not  a 
man  amidst  those  numbers  would  fail  to  kneel  down 
when  he  led  them  in  prayer. 

Few  things  delighted  him  more  than  the  mingling  of 
rich  and  poor  in  these  festivities.  His  birthday  was 
anticipated  in  the  parish  as  one  of  the  high  days  of  the 
year.  All  the  old  people  were  invited  to  drink  tea  on  the 
lawn ;  and  an  easy  spring-van  went  to  and  fro,  from  one 
end  of  the  parish  to  the  other,  in  tlie  service  of  the  most 
infirm. 

On  the  first  of  these  occasions,  two  old  persons,  who 
had  been  bedridden  for  years,  found  the  use  of  their  limbs 
for  the  day.  In  some  cases,  strenuous  efforts  were  made 
to  prove  that  the  required  age  had  been  reached;  and 
even  elderly  looks  were  now  and  then  pleaded  as  a 
sufi&cient  qualification.  But  with  all  due  allowances  for 
such  cases,  it  was  computed  that  the  united  ages  of  the 
members  of  the  first  'birthday  tea-party'  amounted  to 
four  thousand  years. 

Many  friends  from  the  neighliourhood,  and  from  Lon- 
don, besides  parishioners,  were  invited  to  see  and  share 
the  enjoyment  of  the  poor  and  aged. 

After  tea  was  concluded,  my  father  prayed  for  a  bless- 
ing upon  all  assembled,  before  speaking  to  them  in  his 
own  winning  manner;  and  then  the  following  hymn  was 
sung : — 

Y 


338 


MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MAESH,  D.D. 


'  There  is  a  land  of  pure  delight 
Where  saints  immortal  reign  ; 
Infinite  day  excludes  the  night, 
And  pleasures  banish  pain. 

There  everlasting  spring  abides, 
And  never- withering  flowers  ; 

Death,  like  a  narrow  sea,  divides 
That  heavenly  land  from  ours. 

Sweet  fields,  beyond  the  swelling  flood, 
Stand  dressed  in  living  green  ; 

So  to  the  Jews  fair  Canaan  stood 
While  Jordan  rolled  between. 

Bat  timorous  mortals  start  and  shrink 

To  cross  that  narrow  sea, 
They  shivering  stand  upon  the  brink, 

And  fear  to  launch  away. 

Oh,  could  we  make  our  doubts  remove. 
Those  gloomy  doubts  that  rise. 

And  see  the  Canaan  that  we  love 
With  faith's  unclouded  eyes  : 

Could  we  but  stand  where  Moses  stood, 

And  view  the  landscape  o'er, 
Not  Jordan's  stream  nor  death's  cold  flood 

Should  fright  us  from  the  shore.' 


CHAPTEE  XIL 

SHADOW  AXD  SUNSHINE. 


'  They  have  ended  life's  brief  story, 
They  have  reach'd  the  Home  of  Glory, 
Over  death  victorious  ! 

Are  we  not  upon  the  river, 
Sailing  fast — to  meet  for  ever 
On  more  holy,  happy  ground  ? 

Friends,  who  there  await  our  lauding, 
Comrades,  round  the  throne  now  standiug, 
We  salute  you,  and  we  come.' 


SHADOW  AND  SUNSHINE. 

I 


In  the  midst  of  the  consternation  and  intense  excitement 
produced  throughout  the  country,  by  the  announcement  of 
the  first  European  war  in  which  England  had  been  en- 
gaged in  the  lifetime  of  this  generation,  my  father  took 
the  deepest  interest  in  the  British  soldiers  called  out — 
many  of  them  for  the  first  time — to  fight  the  battles  of 
their  country. 

No  one  could  feel  a  more  intense  anxiety  for  British 
soldiers  ordered  out  on  active  service  than  he  did.  He 
remembered  that  which  yoimger  men  could  only  know 
from  the  calm  pages  of  history, —  the  horrors  of  a  great 
war.  His  thoughts,  his  sympathies,  his  prayers,  were 
alike  occupied  with  the  subject;  and  he  was  the  first  to 
propose  and  commence  a  private  subscription  for  provid- 
ing every  soldier  with  a  pocket  Bible  or  Xew  Testament 
before  the  transports  sailed. 

Although  unable  personally  to  take  any  part  in  distri- 
buting them,  he  felt  the  warmest  interest  in  having  this 
desire  carried  out  by  a  member  of  his  family,  in  the  first 
days  of  hurried  departure  of  several  regiments,  and  after- 
wards through  the  agents  of  the  Soldiers'  Eriend  Society. 


342  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

He  had  been  brought  up  amidst  military  associations  from 
his  childhood ;  not  only  was  his  father  a  gallant  soldier, 
but  his  grandfather  had  been  an  officer  in  the  1st  Life 
Guards,  and  many  of  his  ancestors  had  been  distinguished 
for  their  courage  in  the  field.  These  things  may  have 
helped  to  quicken  his  ready  sympathies  on  behalf  of  the 
army ;  but,  apart  from  all  associations,  it  would  have  been 
enough  for  him  that  men  were  going  forth  with  their  lives 
in  their  hands,  and  heroically  to  endure  hardships  and 
sufferings.  Every  plan  of  private  benevolence  for  the 
relief  of  our  brave  and  patient  soldiers,  during  the  terrible 
winter  spent  before  Sebastopol,  was  joyfully  forwarded  by 
him,  as  far  as  lay  in  his  power.  At  this  time,  he  was  the 
mainspring  of  the  Soldiers'  Friend  Society,  of  which  he 
was  elected  president,  and  for  which  he  raised  considerable 
sums  of  money  by  public  and  private  appeals.  He  also 
united  with  the  Duchess  of  Gordon  in  supplying  funds  for 
sending  out,  as  one  of  the  Scripture-readers  to  the  soldiers, 
Mr.  Duncan  Matheson, — a  man  whose  untiring  energy 
and  devotedness  of  spirit  made  him  highly  qualified  for 
the  work. 

The  tidings  brought  by  Lord  Eaglan's  despatch,  on 
Good  Friday,  1855,  of  Hedley  Yicars'  gallant  death,  at  the 
close  of  his  first  battle,  and  in  the  moment  of  victory, 
pierced  my  father's  heart  with  sorrow  ;  and,  in  the  depths 
of  his  tender  sympathy  with  yet  deeper  mourners,  he 
told  us  that  he  had  said,  in  the  language  of  David  when 
lamenting  over  his  son,  '  Would  God  that  I  had  died  for 
thee !' 

He  preached  the  following  Sunday  on  the  subject,  with 


SHADOW  AND  SUNSHINE. 


343 


some  effort  at  first ;  but  Easter  Day  had  as  ever  brought 
with  it  for  him  a  vivid  realization  of  '  that  blessed  hope/ 
the  earnest  of  which  it  commemorates.  Already  his  faith 
had  grasped  at  the  meeting  on  the  resurrection  morning ; 
so  that  his  sermon  became  almost  as  much  a  Te  Deum 
of  victory  as  a  lament  over  the  slain. 

One  of  his  hearers  was  his  only  surviving  brother.  He 
was  in  failing  health  at  the  time ;  but  his  deep  and  sor- 
rowful interest  in  the  subject  of  the  sermon  led  him,  at 
the  risk  of  increased  illness,  to  attend  divine  service  that 
day  (as  it  proved  to  be)  for  the  last  time  on  earth. 

He  was  then,  and  for  the  remainder  of  his  life,  an 
inmate  of  the  rectory.  After  the  death  of  his  wife, 
the  beloved  companion  of  fifty-seven  years,  which  had 
taken  place  in  the  previous  winter,  Mr.  Chalmers  and  my 
sister  had  brought  him  away  from  his  desolate  house  to 
their  happy  home,  where  his  rich  and  loving  nature  caused 
him  to  make  his  own  the  joys  and  sorrows  of  those 
around  him. 

He  now  became  gxadually  weaker ;  and  in  a  short  time 
was  only  able  to  rise  from  his  bed  for  a  few  hours  in  the 
evening.  Yet,  in  the  midst  of  illness  and  suffering,  fre- 
quent flashes  of  his  gay  spirits  and  irrepressible  wit  and 
humour  lent  a  charm  to  his  sick-room.  A  sitting-room 
on  the  ground  floor  had  been  thoughtfully  given  up  for 
his  use  by  my  sister ;  and  from  this  time,  it  was  arranged 
for  him  to  sleep  there,  in  order  to  save  him  the  fatigue  of 
going  up-stairs,  and  as  it  communicated  with  the  drawing- 
room  he  was  able,  almost  every  evening,  to  make  one  of 
the  family  party. 


344  MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

It  was  the  delight  of  the  two  aged  brothers  to  recall  to- 
gether the  scenes  and  friends  of  their  childhood,  some 
seventy  years  before  ;  and  many  a  hearty  laugh  might  be 
heard  ringing  from  voices  which  never  lost  the  melody  of 
youth.  Very  lovely  was  it  to  the  eyes  of  children  and 
grandchildren,  evening  after  evening,  to  look  upon  the 
living  illustration  of  a  hymn  which  their  uncle  had  so 
often  sung — 

'  How  blest  the  sight,  the  joy  how  sweet, 
When  brothers  joined  with  brothers  meet, 
In  bands  of  mutnal  love. ' 

It  has  been  mentioned  in  an  earlier  chapter,  that  there 
was  a  difference  in  their  religious  views.  Never  had  the 
elder  brother  ceased  to  pray  for  the  younger  with  a  faith 
which  refused  to  be  discouraged ;  nor,  as  opportunity  offered, 
to  seek  to  remove  his  doubts  and  difficulties;  and  to  guide 
him  to  that  Saviour  of  whom  Moses  in  the  law,  and  the 
prophets,  did  write,  Jesus,  the  Son  of  David, — ]36rfect  in 
humanity,  and  '  God  over  all,  blessed  for  ever.' 

It  remained  for  the  last  few  months  of  the  younger 
brother's  life  to  unfold  a  union  with  his  elder  brother 
which  would  endure  throughout  eternity. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  say  in  what  manner  faith  stole 
into  a  heart  so  long  sealed,  until  it  took  possession  of  his 
whole  being,  and  opened  a  hitherto  veiled  heaven  to  his 
view.  He  could  only  tell  us,  that  it  arose  through  an  in- 
ward conviction  that  those  around  him  had  found  a  happi- 
ness in  the  service  of  God,  which  he  had  never  known  in 
all  his  years  of  stirring  interests  connected  with  the  things 
of  this  world.    Long  had  his  brother's  holy  life  spoken  to 


SHADOW  AND  SUXSHIXE. 


345 


liim  like  a  message  from  heaven ;  yet  it  had  been  but 
'  as  the  lovely  song  of  one  that  hath  a  pleasant  voice/ 
touchino-  his  feelinos  for  the  moment,  and  then  the  im- 
pression  vanishing  away. 

But  now  the  Holy  Spirit  had  begun  to  convince  him  of 
sin,  in  a  hfe  which  to  the  world  seemed  almost  blameless, 
and  the  need  of  a  Saviour  became  the  craving  of  his  soul. 
'  Old  things  had  passed  away ;  all  things  had  become  new.' 
He  clearly  traced  this  work  of  a  Divine  hand  in  his  own 
mind. 

'  I  see  things  in  a  different  light  now,'  he  said ;  '  all 
things  are  vanity,  apart  from  God.  What  a  life  your 
father  has  led ;  how  different  from  mine  I  Though  I  have 
not  been  what  the  world  calls  a  wicked  man,  I  have  lived 
to  please  man,  and  not  to  please  God.' 

It  was  suggested  to  him  by  my  sister,  who  was  tenderly 
nursing  him,  that  he  had  come  to  Christ  now,  and  wished 
to  please  God  through  Him ;  and  that  our  Saviour  has 
said,  '  Him  that  cometh  unto  Me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast 
out;'  and  that  God  speaks  to  those  who  come  to  Him 
through  His  Son,  as  '  accepted  in  the  Beloved.' 

'  Yes,'  he  replied,  '  I  say,  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sin- 
ner !'  adding,  with  fervent  emphasis,  '  for  Jesus  Christ's 

SAKE.' 

That  doctrine  of  the  Atonement  through  Christ's  suffer- 
ings and  death  was  once  a  great  stumbling-block  to  him ; 
but  now  he  was  led  to  rejoice  in  it,  as  a  drowning  man 
would  in  a  rock  on  which  he  had  suddenly  found  a  firm 
footing.  '  I  have  no  other  hope,'  he  said,  and  then  asked 
for  this  verse  to  be  repeated  to  him — 


346  MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MAESH,  D.D. 


'  Other  refuge  have  I  none, 

Hangs  my  helpless  soul  on  Thee ; 
Leave,  oh  leave  me  not  alone, 
Still  support  and  comfort  me.' 

At  another  time  lie  said,  '  Tell  your  dear  father  how  I 
thank  God  for  such  a  brother.  He  seems  to  me  never  to 
have  had  a  fault — horn  beautiful  within  and  without ;  I 
love  him  better  every  time  I  see  him.'  Just  then  his 
brother  came  in ;  and  my  uncle  said,  '  All  my  trials  have 
been  for  the  best,  William ;  I  have  been  brought  into  a 
different  state,  and  to  see  things  in  a  new  light.  I  am  a 
brand  plucked  from  the  burning.' 

His  brother  clasped  him  tenderly  in  his  arms,  and  my 
uncle  kissed  his  hand  asjain  and  ac^ain. 

Frequently  he  alluded  to  the  goodness  of  the  Providence 
which  had  brought  him  to  Beckenham  Eectory  for  his  last 
illness ;  and  then  would  sing  the  refrain  of  a  favourite 
psalm  of  his — 

*  For  His  mercies  far  extend, 
And  His  bounty  knows  no  end.' 

The  society  of  his  young  grand-nieces  had  a  great  charm 
for  him.  He  loved  to  look  upon  their  faces,  and  to  listen 
by  the  hour  to  hymns  which  they  repeated  by  his  side. 
But  he  enjoyed  the  attention  and  affection  of  every  crea- 
ture who  cared  for  him ;  and  said,  *  The  family  love  me, 
the  friends  love  me,  the  servants  love  me,  even  the  dogs 
and  cats  are  all  amiable  and  friendly  here.' 

Communication,  whether  personally  or  by  letter,  with 
friends  of  his  former  days,  was,  to  the  last,  a  source  of 


SHADOW  A^'D  SUXSHIXE. 


347 


delight  to  liim.  His  heart  never  grew  old.  Throughout 
his  illness  he  was  cheered  from  time  to  time  by  the 
thoufjhtful  kindness  of  Mr.  Walter  of  Bearwood,  whose 
father  and  mother  had  been  amongst  his  dearest  friends ; 
and  he  said,  it  had  been  one  of  the  pleasures  provided 
for  his  last  illness  to  find  the  friendship  which  he  had 
lamented  at  the  death  of  the  parents  renewed  by  the  son. 

The  last  evening  save  one  before  his  death,  he  was  heard 
saying  to  himself,  '  If  I  may  but  be  a  doorkeeper  in  the 
house  of  my  God.'  My  sister  saw  that  tears  were  filling 
his  eyes,  and  said  to  cheer  him,  '  And  a  very  pleasant 
place  it  would  be,  dearest  uncle,  to  stand  at  that  open 
door,  and  to  say,  "  Come  in,"  to  every  one.' 

He  caught  the  fancy  with  his  usual  brightness,  and 
conversed  about  the  happiness  of  seeing  the  beloved  ones 
left  behind  coming  across  the  river,  '  through  the  flood, 
on  foot,'  to  the  celestial  city.  And  then  they  spoke  to- 
gether of  Him  who  has  conquered  death,  and  brought  life 
and  immortality  to  light. 

This  promise  of  the  Saviour  was  quoted  to  him  at  part- 
ing, '  I  will  not  leave  you  comfortless ;  I  will  come  unto 
you.' 

His  faithful  ser\^ant,  who  spent  the  night  in  his  room, 
and  nm'sed  him  with  devoted  attention,  said  that  he  heard 
him  repeating  to  himself  afterwards,  '  Comfort,  comfort ! 
That  is  comfort !'  "  /  will  come  unto  you."  "  Behold  the 
Lamb  of  God,  which  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world." 

On  the  last  night  of  his  life,  one  who  sat  beside  him 
heard  the  failing  voice  saying,  '  In  my  Father's  house  are 
many  mansions ;  if  it  were  not  so,  I  would  have  told  you. 


348 


MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you.  And  if  I  go  and  prepare  a 
place  for  you,  I  will  come  again,  and  receive  you  unto  My- 
self.'   How  delightful !  '  Come  quickly.  Lord  Jesus  !' 

At  half-past  twelve,  he  asked  the  hour,  then  closed  his 
eyes  with  his  own  hand,  as  one  might  for  another  in  the 
hour  of  death.  But  a  gentle  sleep  followed,  from  which, 
without  a  sigh,  his  spirit  passed,  we  doubt  not,  into  the 
presence  of  his  Saviour. 

My  father  had  seen  the  answer  to  the  prayers  of  a  life- 
time, and  amidst  the  keenness  of  his  natural  grief,  '  was 
comforted  concerning  his  brother.' 

Mr.  Chalmers'  former  connexion  with  the  army,  and 
the  near  neighbourhood  of  Woolwich,  brought  frequent 
and  welcome  visitors  to  Beckenham  from  amongst  the 
numerous  Christian  officers  quartered  there.  Foremost 
amongst  these  was  the  late  revered  and  beloved  General 
Anderson,  of  whose  almost  parental  care  of  the  young 
officers  in  '  the  regiment,'  together  with  his  earnest  interest 
in  the  welfare  of  the  soldiers,  my  father  never  tired  of 
hearing.  And  when  he  was  able,  from  time  to  time,  to 
spend  a  few  hours  at  Beckenham  Kectory,  their  conversa- 
tion was  almost  exclusively  concerning  the  increase  of 
the  Lord's  kingdom  on  earth,  and  the  joy  of  His  presence 
in  their  hearts. 

In  one  of  his  visits.  General  Anderson  interested  my 
father  much  in  an  account  which  he  gave  of  his  young 
friend  Captain  Vandeleur,  then  in  the  Crimea. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  summer  of  1355,  Captain 
Vandeleur  returned  to  England,  and  paid  his  first  visit  to 


SHADOW  AND  SUXSHI^'E. 


349 


Beckenliam  Eectory.  He  came  a  personal  stranger,  but 
in  heart  a  friend ;  one  strong  bond  of  mutual  sympathy 
having  drawn  him  to  us — he  had  known  and  loved 
Hedley  Yiears.  A  stronger  tie  still  made  the  friendship 
there  begun,  one  which  will  endure  for  ever—  the  know- 
ledge and  love  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  J esus  Christ. 

Captain  Yandeleur  accompanied  my  father  and  his  family 
on  a  visit  to  Terling,  not  long  after  the  great  sorrow  of  Hed- 
ley Vicars'  death ;  and  it  was  comforting  to  the  mourners 
to  listen  to  one  wlio  had  so  recently  delighted  in  personal 
intercourse  with  the  beloved  one  now  taken  from  them, 
and  to  hear  another  testimony  to  his  life  of  holiness  and 
self-devotion. 

Captain  Vandeleur's  frequent  visits  to  Beckenham,  from 
this  time,  were  a  source  of  ever-increasing  pleasure  to  my 
father,  as  he  marked  the  deepening  work  of  grace  in  that 
noble  young  soldier ;  and  heard  his  simple  yet  animated 
accounts  of  the  door  of  usefulness  opened  to  himself  and 
his  brother  ofi&cer,  Captain  Orr,  amongst  the  men  and 
boys  at  the  arsenal,  and  of  the  Bible  societies^  and  Bible 
classes  which  they  had  established  amongst  them.  Cap- 
tain Orr  continued  the  boys'  class  after  Captain  Yandeleur 

^  This  refers  to  a  plan  set  on  foot  by  these  two  young  oflBcers  for 
inducing  the  arsenal  workmen,  who  were  in  receipt  of  good  wages, 
to  become  subscribers,  by  small  weekly  instalments,  for  M'Phun's 
valuable  large-print  Familj^  Bibles,  which  they  further  encouraged  by 
adding  a  small  sum  to  each  deposit.  "When  a  certain  number  of  men 
had  paid  up  their  subscriptions,  a  tea-party  was  given ;  at  which  the 
copies  were  presented,  and  addresses  delivered  upon  the  blessing  of  a 
diligent  study  of  Holy  Scripture.  It  was  found  that  many  were  thus 
led  to  search  the  Scriptures,  and  to  begin  the  practice  of  reading  them 
in  their  families. 


350 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


had  left  the  arsenal ;  and  many  received  a  blessing  there 
which  will  be  thankfully  remembered  in  eternity. 

In  the  spring  of  the  following  year,  a  young  ofl&cer  in 
the  Grenadier  Guards  asked  permission  to  bring  with  him, 
on  one  of  his  frequent  visits  to  Beckenham  Eectory,  a 
friend  of  his,  who  had  gone  out  (in  the  civil  service)  to 
the  East  at  the  same  time  with  himseK,  and  had  been 
distinguished  there  for  his  gallantry  in  saving  many  lives 
at  tlie  risk  of  his  own.  From  this  time  it  would  have 
been  difficult  to  say  which  was  the  more  welcome  guest. 
My  father  delighted  in  watching  the  deepening  decision  of 
purpose  in  his  two  young  friends  to  be  wholly  on  the 
Lord's  side,  and  their  desire  to  be  employed  in  His 
service ;  whilst  they  delighted  in  listening  to  his  lucid 
explanations  of  Scripture,  and  to  the  words  of  wise  and 
fatherly  counsel  which  fell  from  his  lips ;  and  also  in 
seeing  his  vivid  pleasure  and  hearty  sympathy  in  their 
young,  ardent  efforts  in  the  ser\dce  in  which  he  had 
grown  grey.  The  one  was  occupying  himself  in  giving 
scriptural  instruction  to  the  men  of  his  regiment ;  the 
other  in  hospitals,  and  in  a  Bible-reading  for  livery  stable- 
men and  domestic  servants. 

Not  long  after  these  two  friends  had  believed  and 
obeyed  the  words,  'Let  him  that  heareth  say.  Come!' 
another  interest  connected  with  the  army  arose  amongst 
the  cadets  at  Addiscombe  College.  The  work  of  the  grace 
of  God  amongst  these  youths  was  at  first  gradual.  A  few 
began  to  desire  to  live  in  earnest  as  Christians ;  and  then 
receiving,  in  its  fulness,  the  message  of  eternal  life  by 
faith  upon  the  Son  of  God,  they  were  enabled,  ahke  by 


SHADOW  AXD  SUXSHIXE. 


351 


their  conduct  and  com^ersation,  to  recommend  the  faith 
which  filled  their  hearts  with  joy,  and  spread  a  holy  glad- 
ness over  their  young  faces. 

They  were  invited,  by  the  hospitality  and  kindness  of 
Mr.  Chalmers,  to  spend  their  Sundays  in  the  happy  family 
circle  at  Beckenham  Eectory.  But  as  the  numbers  grew 
by  degrees  to  nearly  one-third  of  the  whole  college,  it 
became  necessary  to  divide  ;  parties  of  eight  or  ten  coming 
each  Sunday.  Beautiful  was  the  sight  of  this  gathering 
of  young  soldiers  around  the  patriarch's  arm-chair,  listen- 
ings to  his  animated  illustrations  and  sacred  anecdotes, 
singing  with  him  his  favourite  hymns,  and  commended 
by  him  in  prayer  to  God  for  His  help  and  grace  during 
the  week's  work  and  the  week's  warfare. 

He  was  often  as  much  surprised  as  gratified  by  the 
thoughtfulness  of  their  questions  on  scriptural  subjects, 
and  on  reli2;ious  matters  concerniuo-  the  Church  and  the 
country.  And  the  cadets  were  no  less  delighted  with  the 
manner  in  which  he  brought  forth  for  their  benefit,  from 
the  treasury  of  his  memory,  'things  new  and  old,'  than 
with  the  sparkling  freshness  which  eclipsed  the  mere 
youthfulness  of  years. 

'  What  is  the  good  of  being  young,'  said  one  of  them,  as 
he  lingered  at  the  door  for  another  smile  and  parting  word 
from  him,  '  when  one  sees  a  man  of  eighty  in  better  spirits 
than  the  j  oiliest  of  us  ?' 

So  quickly  fled  the  happy  hours  of  those  evenings,  that 
when  the  lime  anived  for  the  cadets  to  leave,  it  always 
took  them  by  surprise  ;  but  so  anxious  was  my  father  that 
military  discipline  should  be  preserved,  and  no  encroach- 


352  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

ment  made  upon  the  kindness  of  Sir  Frederick  Abbott, 
the  Lieutenant-Governor  of  Addiscombe  (who  gladly  for- 
warded their  intercourse  with  Beckenhara),  that  he  used 
to  hold  up  his  watch  as  it  indicated  the  unwelcome  hour, 
with  a  gesture  of  playful  threatening,  saying,  '  Now  I  must 
turn  you  all  out,  or  the  gates  will  be  closed/ 

He  was  greatly  interested  in  hearing  of  their  meetings 
amongst  themselves  for  reading  the  Scriptures,  with  prayer; 
and  when  they  asked  permission  to  come  over  to  Becken  - 
ham  Kectory  from  time  to  time,  during  the  hours  occa- 
sionally given  them  on  a  week-day  for  recreation,  for  a 
Bible-reading  there,  he  delighted  in  coming  in  to  conclude 
it  with  prayer. 

After  his  earthly  race  was  finished,  they  poured  in  their 
testimonies  from  the  different  provinces  of  India,  to  the 
blessing  they  had  derived  from  his  counsel  and  friendship, 
and  beyond  all,  from  the  indelible  impression  left  on  their 
memories  by  the  holiness  and  happiness  of  his  life,  and  by  the 
atmosphere  of  love  which  he  seemed  to  diffuse  around  him. 

The  winter  of  the  year  1856  brought  dangerous  and 
protracted  illness,  during  which  his  severe  sufferings  were 
borne  not  only  with  patience  but  with  perfect  acquies- 
cence in  all  the  will  of  God,  whilst  every  alleviation  called 
forth  his  praises.  No  medicine  was  taken  or  refreshment 
received,  without  thanks  being  rendered.  One  of  his  chil- 
dren remembers  well  how  with  trembling  hand  the  cup 
of  cold  water  was  held,  whilst  his  faint  voice  said,  '  Thanks 
for  cold  and  refreshing  water ;  and  for  the  Water  of  Life 
— praise,  praise  be  to  Thee.' 


SHADOW  AXD  SUXSHIXE. 


353 


His  memory  for  the  things  learnt  in  his  boyhood  sur- 
prised us.  He  would  quote  long  passages  from  Milton, 
Young,  and  Shakspeare,  always  contriving,  by  the  spiri- 
tual alchemy  of  his  mind,  to  give  a  sacred  turn  of  thought 
to  each  quotation.  When  almost  insensible  to  outward 
objects,  from  extreme  suffering  in  his  head,  we  heard  him 
repeat  Pope's  lines, — 

'  Xot  bubbling  waters  to  the  thirsty  swain, 
Not  rest  to  weary  labourers,  faint  with  pain, 
Not  showers  to  larks,  not  sunshine  to  the  bee, 
Are  half  so  precious  as  thy  love  to  me — ' 

'  My  SA\^OTJR  ! ' 

Thus,  the  verse  learnt  in  youth  as  an  expression  of  natural 
affection,  was  consecrated  in  age  to  the  Object  of  highest 
adoration  and  love. 

During  one  night,  when  it  was  scarcely  expected  that 
he  would  survive  till  morning,  his  spirit  seemed  to  be 
almost  in  heaven.  We  heard  him  picturing  its  blessed- 
ness and  glory  in  glowing  language ;  and  amongst  other 
things,  which  he  gently  murmured  to  himself,  we  caught 
the  following  verse  : — 

'  Awhile  they  range  the  heavenly  plains, 
Or  sing  His  love  in  melting  strains, 
Or,  overcome  with  raptures  sweet, 
Fall  down  adoring  at  His  feet ! ' 

Wliilst  his  mind  grasped  the  breadth  of  the  promise, 
'  At  His  right  hand  there  are  pleasures  for  evermore,'  and 
believed  in  their  inexhaustible  variety  and  extent,  his 
heart  was  satisfied  only  with  the  words,  '  In  His  presence 
is  fulness  of  joy for  it  was  the  thought  of  the  personal 

z 


354 


MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


presence  of  his  Saviour  which  gave  the  light,  the  bliss,  the 
glory  to  all  his  visions  of  heaven. 

He  quoted  at  one  time,  with  a  voice  full  of  emotion,  the 
story  of  a  little  dying  child,  who  had  said  with  joy,  that 
she  was  going  to  heaven  to  be  with  the  Lord  Jesus,  and 
who,  on  being  asked,  '  What  would  you  do  if  He  were  to 
go  out  of  heaven  V  replied,  '  I  would  go  out  with  Him.' 

'  You  and  I  could  claim  His  own  promise,'  he  added,  '  to 
be  of  that  company ;  for  the  Lord  has  said,  "  Where  I  am, 
there  ye  may  be  also."  There  is  a  whole  heaven  in  the  pro- 
mise, "  I  will  come  agam,  and  receive  you  unto  Myself." 

Prayer  was  made  for  him,  during  this  illness,  not  only 
in  many  families,  and  social  gatherings,  but  also  in  many 
churches,  in  places  where  he  was  known  and  loved. 

Those  prayers  were  heard.  Our  father  was  lent  to  us 
for  nearly  eight  years  longer. 


TO  REV.  W.  KNOX  MARSHALL,  ON  THE  DEATH  OF  HIS  SISTER, 
LADY  LAWRENCE. 

'  Beckenham  Rectoey,  March  2,  1854. 

'  My  DEAR  Marshall, — I  have  just  heard  the  melan- 
choly news.  I  do  greatly  sympathize  with  you.  I  knew 
what  it  was  to  love  an  only  sister.  All  we  can  say  is, 
"  It  is  the  Lord."  And  He  says,  "  It  is  I,  be  not  afraid." 
No  fear  need  be  entertained  for  the  dear  departed.  She 
knew  and  trusted  in  her  Saviour.  He  who  says,  "  Be 
not  afraid,"  will  also  take  care  of  survivors,  and  yet  the 


SHADOW  .AJN'D  SUXSHIXE. 


355 


loss  must  be  grievously  felt.  Christians  are  no  stoics ; 
neither  are  they  murmurers.  The  good  Lord  bring  every 
alleviating  thought  to  your  mind,  and  to  Sir  Henry  and 
the  children. 

'  Yet  a  little  while,  and  death  shall  be  no  more.  ^lay 
this  enlivening  hope  relieve  the  gloom  of  the  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  death,  in  which  we  are  still,  while  some 
have  reached  its  termination. 

'  Love  to  the  dear  children.  Dear  Agnes,  Kennie,  and 
I,  and  little  Tom  Thumb,  are  good  pla}Tnates. — Ever  most 
affectionately  yours,  Wm.  Marsh.' 

'  Deae  Mrs.  Gordon, — .  .  .  You  and  Mr.  Gordon  have 
constantly  prayed  for  your  children. 

*  Prayer  is  always  answered,  but  not  always  in  the  exact 
time  and  manner  we  expect.  Believing  parents  have 
great  promises.  "  The  promise  is  unto  you  and  to  your 
children."  "  I  will  be  a  God  unto  thee,  and  to  thy  seed 
after  thee." 

'  But  what  concern  have  we  in  promises  to  Abraham  ? 
St.  Paul  answers  the  question  (Gal.  iii.  14,  26,  29).  I  differ 
from  that  divine  of  the  last  century,  who  said,  "  It  would 
have  been  well  for  the  Church  if  St.  Paul  had  never 
written  his  Epistles !"  But  I  quite  agree  with  a  more 
ancient  divine,  Luther,  who  considered  the  Epistle  to  the 
Galatians  to  be  a  mine  of  immense  wealth  to  the  Church. 
Salmasius  said,  "  If  I  could  have  my  time  over  again,  I 
would  spend  more  of  it  in  reading  David's  Psalms  and 


353 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D, 


Paul's  Epistles."  Alas  !  for  many  of  the  modern  German 
divines.  They  think  the  Psalms  to  be  only  a  book  of 
prayers  and  praises,  and  not  of  prophecy ;  while  the 
second  psalm  opens  with  a  plain  prediction  of  "  the  suf- 
ferings of  Christ  and  of  the  glory  which  should  follow." 

'  I  fear  nothing  will  convince  a  certain  class  of  minds 
but  the  actual  appearing  of  the  Lord;  nothing  short  of 
it  could  convince  Saul  of  Tarsus. 

'  Pray  tell  Mr.  Gordon  that  the  cultivation  of  Palestine 
is  commencing.  You  see  I  must  bring  in  the  Jews, 
whatever  be  my  subject. 

'  What  does  Mr.  S.  think  of  the  intended  Convocation  ? 
Are  we  to  have  another  1767  ?  ]3rie3ts  against  bishops,  and 
bishops  against  priests,  and  the  people  (who  are  the  Church) 
against  both.  It  appears  to  me  to  be  perilous ;  but  all 
will  end  well  for  the  true  Church,  of  which  may  all  dear 
to  us  be  living  and  lively  members.' 

*Beckenham,  Nov.  23. 

'  My  dear  Friend, — .  .  .  The  property  men  have  is  not 
their  own,  but  the  Lord's.  They  are  but  stewards.  I  am 
quite  aware  that  the  text  you  quote  may  mean  that  the 
Lord  can  provide  silver  and  gold  for  the  building  of  His 
temple  ;  but  I  make  a  second  application  of  the  words. 

'  I  doubt  whether  we  who  hold  and  maintain  the  doc- 
trine of  a  perfectly  free  justification  (the  justification  of  the 
ungodly)  through  the  redemption  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus, 
have  made  sufficient  use  of  the  reivardahhness  of  good 
works  (2  Cor.  ix.  6).  How  wonderful  that  it  should  be  a 
part  of  the  plan  of  mercy  ! 


SHADOAV  AND  SUXSHIXE. 


357 


'Justified  freely,  adopted  graciously,  endued  with  the 
Spirit,  and  yet  rewarded  according  to  talents  improved, 
services  rendered,  and  sufferings  endured  ;  indeed,  "  Thou, 
Lord,  art  merciful for  though  it  is  the  fruit  of  Thine 
own  grace,  yet  "  Thou  rewardest  every  man  according  to 
his  work"  (Ps.  Ixii.  8). 

'  See  how  legal  I  become  in  my  old  age  !  yet  my  hope 
for  salvation  is  only  in  the  riches  of  Divine  grace  in  Christ ; 
not  alone  to  blot  out  all  sin,  but  also  to  bear  the  iniquity 
even  of  our  holy  things.  W.  M.' 

'  Beckenham,  Dec.  6. 

'  My  dear  Mr.  Gordox, — I  am  glad  you  give  yom^self  a 
little  more  rest.  The  priests  under  the  law  might  retire 
at  fifty  years  of  age ;  and  under  the  Gospel,  "  Do  thyself 
no  harm"  is  a  Christian  rule. 

'  As  to  the  profitable  employment  of  leisure,  something 
like  a  plan  is  desirable. 

'  1.  A  certain  time  for  the  Bible  and  prayer. 

*  2.  A  certain  time  for  religious  works. 

*  3.  A  certain  time  for  correspondence,  etc. 

'  4.  A  certain  time  for  history,  biography,  philosophy, 
or  lighter  reading,  such  as  reviews,  poetry,  travels,  etc. 

'  The  human  mind  is  singularly  assisted  by  variety.  I 
have  been  tired  after  reading  one  book  for  a  long  time. 
But  I  could  take  another  directly,  and  feel  as  fresh  as  ever 
for  reading. 

'  I  must  not  omit  a  certain  time  for  air  and  exercise : 
and  the  family  circle  must  have  their  portion. 

'  But  oh  how  blessed  will  be  the  eternity,  when  (accord- 


358  MEMom  or  eev.  william  marsh,  d.d. 

ing  to  my  text  on  Friday,  Ps.  xviL,  last  verse)  we  shall 
be  without  weariness,  without  imperfection!  The  works 
of  God,  and  the  ways  of  God,  as  displaying  the  perfection 
of  God,  will  be  our  delight,  with  redemption  as  the  sun- 
shine %qwn  all! 

TO  THE  REV.  ROBERT  KEMP. 

'  Beckenham,  May  22,  1854. 

'  My  DEAR  Mr.  Kemp,—  .  .  .  We  live  in  ominous  times, 
yet  may  hope  that  Old  England  will  continue  to  be  em- 
ployed in  making  known  the  glad  tidings  to  "  Jews,  Turks, 
infidels,  and  heretics."  The  prophets  of  1829  are  now 
proved  to  be  true.  Members  of  Parliament  of  the  Eoman 
Catholic  persuasion  must  obey  their  priests,  and  will  allow 
nothing  to  pass  that  appears  to  be  opposed  to  their  Church. 
We  must  grieve  for  them  and  pray  for  them,  and  faith- 
fully tell  them,  as  opportunity  offers,  that  Popery  is  strong 
delusion.  Great  is  the  mercy  which  has  instructed  us  by 
the  only  infallible  standard,  the  Word  of  God.  Grace  and 
peace  be  multiplied  to  you  and  yours. — Ever  affectionately 
yours,  Wm.  Marsh.' 

To  the  Same. 

'  Beckenham,  iVoy.  16,  1854. 
'  My  dear  Mr.  Kemp, — .  .  .  You  are  immortal  till  your 
work  is  done,  and  therefore  have  found  yourself  safe  in 
the  midst  of  danger.  Yet  a  little  while,  and  there  can  be 
"  no  evil  occurrent."  We  shall  be  like  Him,  for  we  shall 
see  Him  as  He  is,"  and  that  will  be  Heaven.  How  bright 
and  wonderful  the  prospect !  To  be  wise  without  error. 
To  be  holy  without  sin.    To  be  happy  without  alloy,  and 


SHADOW  AND  SUNSHINE. 


359 


that  for  ever  and  ever.  We  shall  then  begin  to  feel  some- 
thing of  our  obligation,  and  sing  aloud,  "  Salvation  to  God, 
who  sitteth  upon  the  Throne,  and  to  the  Lamb,  for  ever 
and  ever." 

'  We  live  in  an  age  of  agitation.  But  our  path  is  plain. 
To  preach  the  truth  of  God,  to  protest  against  error,  and 
to  endeavour  by  persuasion,  example,  and  prayer,  and  by 
co-operation  with  the  great  institutions  of  the  age,  to 
bring  our  fellow-sinners  to  the  all-sufficient  Saviour. 
Eemember  me  to  Mrs.  Kemp,  and  believe  me,  yours 
affectionately,  Wm.  Marsh.' 

TO  his  second  daughter. 

'  January 

'  Time  how  short — eternity  how  long !  "  I  paint  for 
eternity,"  said  a  celebrated  artist ;  but  how  much  more 
truly  may  a  preacher  say,  "  I  preach  for  eternity."  May 
none  of  your  words  fall  to  the  ground  !  ]\Iany  happy  and 
blessed  returns  of  your  birthday.  It  would  be  an  Irish 
saying,  but  true,  to  say  to  you,  "  Very  pleasant  hast  thou 
been  to  me,  my  hrother  Jonathan  1" 

'  I  give  you  the  last  four  verses  of  the  90th  Psalm.  Love 
to  dearest  Frederick. — Your  most  loving  father,     W.  M.' 

TO  another  daughter. 

'  Terling  Place,  June  19,  1855. 
'  .  .  .  "  Many  of  the  disciples  went  back,  and  walked 
no  more  with  Him."  "  The  servant  is  not  above  his  lord." 
Let  not  sorrow  overwhelm  thee,  if  now  and  then  a  bud  is 
nipped.  There  are  those  that  will  live,  and  bear  fruit  in 
the  Paradise  of  God. 


360 


MEMOIE  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MAESH,  D.D. 


'  Yet  it  is  very  paioful  to  see  that  which  was  promising 
come  to  nought.  But  even  in  these  cases  the  disappoint- 
ment may  be  only  temporary.  "  Eeturn,  0  backshding 
children, — I  will  heal  your  backslidings/'  is  one  of  the 
many  gracious  sayings  that  proceed  out  of  His  mouth. 
Those  poor  fellows  are  exposed  to  great  temptations ;  but 
there  is  grace  enough,  and  to  spare,  to  enable  them  to 
stand  in  the  evil  day,  and  having  done  all,  to  stand.  "We 
are  glad  that  you  stay  till  they  sail,-^  thougli  we  long  for 
your  return. 

'  A  large  number  besides  the  household  were  assembled 
by  dear  Lord  and  Lady  Kayleigh  for  family  worship  last 
evening.  I  spoke  from  Luke  xi.  13,  and  told  them  the 
story  of  "  Praying  Tom." 

'  Dear  Mrs.  Vicars  looks  back  with  Christian  thank- 
fulness, bears  her  present  loss  with  Christian  resignation, 
and  looks  forward  with  Christian  faith. 

'  I  will  write  to  Mr.  Matheson.  He  is  doing  wonders, 
by  the  help  of  God ;  but  his  soul  is  vexed  within  him, 
and  no  wonder,  seeing  the  awful  thoughtlessness  of  men 
on  the  verge  of  eternity.  Yet  there  are  many  blessed 
exceptions. 

'  Shall  I  give  you  this  morning's  exposition  ?  "  As  in 
Adam  all  die,  even  so  in  Christ  shall  all  be  made  alive. 
We  lost  a  human  righteousness  in  Adam ;  we  gain  a  Diviyie 
righteousness  in  Christ.  We  lost  human  power  in  Adam  ; 
we  gain  Divine  power  in  Christ.  We  lost  the  paradise  of 
man  in  Adam ;  we  gain  the  Paradise  of  God  in  Christ. 
We  were  driven  out  of  Paradise  in  Adam ;  we  shall  go  no 
more  out  in  Christ." 

^  A  detachment  of  the  Army  Works  Corps. 


SHADOW  AND  SUXSHINE. 


361 


'  Give  our  love  to  Diana  and  little  Margaret  Lawford, 
and  great  love  to  dear  Uncle  Hal.  I  am  so  glad  that  lie 
is  a  little  better ;  and  I  pray  he  may  still  improve,  and 
be  happy  now  in  the  tlionght  of  a  Saviour,  and  of  a  heaven 
to  come. 

'  Give  om-  best  wishes  to  dear  Mina  Holland  and  her 
husband.  May  they  be  happy  in  each  other,  and  in  the 
faith  and  service  of  the  Lord. 

'  Take  care  of  yourself,  dear  darKng  child,  for  the  sake 
of  us  all,  and  of  our  soldiers,  sailors,  and  navvies.  Chris- 
tians should  pray  for  our  army  and  navy,  for  our  allies  and 
our  enemies,  and,  above  all,  for  the  final  victory  of  truth, 
when  men  shall  love  war  no  more,  nor  be  deceived  by 
Satan,  nor  led  captive  by  sin  any  more. — Thy  loving 
father,  Wm.  Marsh. 

'  The  eternal  love  of  the  Father — the  redeeming  love 
of  the  Son — the  renewing  love  of  the  Spirit — subjects  for 
meditation  this  week,  and  for  eternity.' 

To  the  Same. 
'  Short  Praises. 

'  I  THAXK  God,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  for  as 
dear  a  child  as  ever  father  had.' 

'  Short  Prayers. 

'  I  PEAY  she  may  be  kept  humble,  zealous,  active,  useful, 
all  the  days  of  her  life.' — This  for  September  15. 

'  The  Lord  grant  all  her  petitions.  Prosperity  can  only 
be  given  to  the  work  by  devout  prayers  to  that  eternal 
Spirit,  who  can  enrich  with  all  utterance  and  knowledge, 


362 


MEI^IOIE  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MAESII,  D.D. 


and  send  out  the  hallo\Yed  fire  to  purify  the  lips  of  whom 
He  pleases,  and  kindle  faith,  hope,  and  love  in  the  im- 
mortal souls  addressed.' 

« 

TO  A  GRANDCHILD. 

'  Beckenham,  Sejyt.  20,  1856. 

'  Darling  Child, —  .  .  .  We  have  had  a  pleasant  little 
tour  to  Fredville,  Chilham,  and  Tunbridge Wells.  You  have 
had  a  delightful  tour  among  the  Trossachs  and  Western 
Highlands.  A  quick  perception  of  the  beauties  of  nature  is 
a  blessed  gift.  Mr.  Yorke  says,  in  a  wonderful  book  he  has 
just  published,  Researches  in  the  Works  of  God,  that  it  acts 
like  Elisha's  minstrel — it  soothes  and  elevates.  It  trans- 
j)lants  us  from  a  world  of  care  to  a  world  of  grandeur,  free- 
dom, and  peace.  Ah !  but  that  alone  w^ould  not  do  ;  and  no 
one  more  willing  to  acknowledge  it  than  good  Mr.  Yorke. 
For  repose,  as  sinners,  we  must  look  to  tlie  Saviour ;  for 
help  against  over-  anxiety  we  must  look  to  paternal  love 
in  God  (John  xiv.  1  ;  Phil.  iv.  6).  Trials  must  come ;  com- 
forts will  come.  When  patience  has  had  its  perfect  work, 
great  is  the  reward  of  grace  (James  i.  3,  4 ;  v.  8).  There 
is  a  Coming  in  providence  and  grace  as  well  as  in  glory.' 

TO  MISS  EMMA  LEYCESTER. 

'Beckenham,  Oct.  6,  1856. 
'  My  dear  Cousin, — I  write  by  this  post  to  Mr.  Clay. 
'  He  has  had  very  lately  a  convert  from  the  Church  of 
Piome,  who  read  his  recantation  in  Mr.  C.'s  chapel. 


SHADOWY  AND  SUNSHINE. 


3G3 


'  I  rejoice  over  these  cases.  As  to  the  perverts  from 
our  own  Church  to  Eome,  I  quite  agree  with  Dr.  Hook, 
who  says,  "  They  expose  their  souls  to  peril."  I  desire 
their  salvation,  but  there  is  no  salvation  hj  the  Churcli 
of  Eome,  though  we  hope  and  beheve  there  is  salvation  in 
the  Church  of  Eome  for  those  w^io  have  had  no  better 
teaching,  and  after  all  trust  in  their  Saviour  alone.  Ho^^^ 
thankful  we  should  be  who  are  taught  better,  and  how 
zealous  that  others  should  love  the  truth. 

mat  is  truth  ? 

'  We  answer, — God  and  His  glorious  attributes  ;  Christ 
and  His  great  salvation  ;  the  Holy  Spirit  and  His  heavenly 
grace  ;  the  Bible  in  its  revelations — the  principles,  the  pri- 
vileges, and  the  duties  of  a  Cliristian  ;  and  the  ample  and 
glorious  realities  of  a  future  state. 

'  I  send  you  and  your  friends  my  usual  wish  :  May  you 
be  happy  in  a  Saviour's  love,  and  useful  in  a  Saviour's 
service.— Your  ever  affectionate  Wm.  Marsh.' 

TO  HIS  eldest  grandchild. 

'  Beckenham,  Feb.  12,  1857. 

'  Darling  Louie, — Our  precious  "  Marny"  left  us  on 
[Monday.  I  sighed  deeply  when  she  was  gone.  !N"o  man 
wdll  allow  that  he  cried  !  And  yet  I  was  exceedingly  glad, 
for  her  sake,  as  it  would  be  a  time  of  at  least  comparative 
rest.  Neither  the  army,  nor  the  navy,  nor  the  working- 
men's  corps,  could  call  upon  her  at  Cannes  !  I  rejoiced 
also  in  the  anticipation  of  your  and  darling  Lucy's  joy  in 
seeing  her  dear  face  again.  I  am  sure,  likewise,  it  wiU  be 
a  happy  time  for  all  with  the  good  Duchesses  of  Gordon 


364  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


and  Manchester.  If  I  could  put  myself  upon  the  wives 
of  the  electric  telegraph,  I  do  think  I  should  look  in  also. 

'  And  now,  dearest  child,  I  am  reminded  that  to-morrow 
is  your  birthday.  Many  happy  and  useful  years  to  you. 
It  is  true  that  this  is  a  world  of  sin  and  sorrow.  But  it 
is  as  true  that  we  have  an  Almighty  and  ever  present 
Friend,  that  we  may  enjoy  His  love  in  our  many  comforts, 
and  know  that  He  can  sympathize  with  us  in  any  trial. 
It  is  also  the  only  world  in  which  we  can  have  the  honour 
of  serving  Him,  in  the  midst  of  difficulties ;  and  the  privi- 
lege of  telling  others  what  a  Saviour  we  have  found. 

'  Oh,  to  have  been  brought  to  some  knowledge  of  Him, 
and  to  have  any  opportunity  of  serving  Him,  is  worth 
being  born  into  this  world. 

'  We  hope  to  see  our  Eobert  to-morrow.  He  is  count- 
ing the  days  till  the  Cannes  party  returns. —  Darling 
Louie's  loving  Grandfather.' 

TO  HIS  SECOND  DAUGHTER. 
*  IsLip  Rectory,  near  Oxford,  June  12,  1857. 
'  My  first  look  up  to  heaven  this  morning  was  in 
thanksgiving,  before  prayer,  for  the  marvellous  blessings 
I  have  had  in  my  children.  I  may  be  allowed  to  feel 
anxiously  for  their  health,  yet  I  know  that  infinite  wisdom 
and  love  consult  our  eternal  interests,  even  in  what  is 
contrary  to  our  present  feelings  and  wishes.  But  pray 
I  may,  and  must,  for  their  ease  and  health,  as  well  as 
Christian  peace  and  usefulness.  The  latter  God  has 
graciously  given  in  no  small  degree.  Yesterday  I  walked 
with  dearest  Mary  to  see  the  village.    I  am  much  pleased, 


SHADOW  AXD  SUXSHIXE. 


365 


for  I  expected  only  a  flat  witli  stone  walls,  but  tliere  are 
some  very  pretty  points  and  even  rising  grounds.  I  asked 
(you  know  my  satirical  spirit),  whether  a  hill  in  the 
distance  was  not  as  Lebanon  to  the  "  goodly  land/'  and 
whether  the  snow  was  upon  it  all  the  year  round  ? 

'  I  do  not  know  any  house  where  yon  could  have  been 
happier  than  at  Birch  Hall.  Certainly,  love  to  its  owners 
would  be  an  easy  test  of  love  to  the  brethren. 

'  My  love  to  all.  I  have  a  sweet  line  from  Frederick. 
— Ever  vour  most  lovino-  and  deli(?hted  father, 

*  Wm.  Maesh.' 


• 


CHAPTEE  XIII. 


MORE   SOULS   TO  WIN. 


'  I  ask  no  heaven  till  earth  be  Thine, 
Xor  glory- crown,  while  work  of  mine 
Remaineth  here.    When  earth  shall  shine 
Amongst  the  stars  .  .  . 
Her  sins  wiped  out,  her  captives  free, 
For  crown — new  work  give  Thou  to  me. 
Lord,  here  am  I.' 


* 


MORE  SOULS  TO  WIN. 


No  sooner  had  my  father  recovered  a  measure  of  health 
after  the  illness  mentioned  in  the  last  chapter,  than  he 
was  anxious  again  to  be  employed  in  his  jMaster's  work. 
As  he  was  still  forbidden  by  his  medical  attendants  to 
leave  the  house,  he  established  a  Saturday  evening  meet- 
ing at  the  rectory,  with  the  hearty  concurrence  of  the 
rector,  for  exposition  of  the  Scripture  and  prayer,  which 
the  villagers  were  invited  to  attend. 

After  the  opening  of  a  railway  station  at  Beckenham, 
several  villas  were  built  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the 
rectory ;  and  some  of  the  new  parishioners  thankfully 
availed  themselves  of  the  invitation  to  join  the  little 
band  of  those  who  had  found  the  advantage  of  such  a 
preparation  for  the  day  of  rest. 

The  station-master,  the  sergeant  of  police,  the  school- 
master and  his  '  staff,'  and  others  in  the  parish  who 
deeply  valued  his  ripened  ministry,  were  scarcely  ever 
absent  from  their  accustomed  places  on  these  occasions ; 
and,  besides  the  parishioners,  old  friends  of  my  father's, 
and  others  from  a  distance,  frequently  came  to  hear  his 

2  A 


370 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


words,  and  to  unite  in  prayer.  Nor  on  that  day  of  the 
week  alone  was  '  open  house'  kept  at  the  rectory.  Friends 
before  unknown,  but  ever  after  to  be  pleasantly  remem  - 
bered,  came  from  America,  France,  Eussia,  Germany,  and 
other  countries,  always  meeting  with  a  hospitable  reception 
from  the  rector  and  his  wife  ;  and  each  carried  away  some 
instructive  thought  or  wise  counsel  from  the  lips  of  the 
aged  saint,  sometimes  written  on  the  fly-leaf  of  some  little 
book,  often  one  of  his  own  writing,  which  he  kept  by  him 
in  large  supplies  for  such  gifts.  On  more  than  one  occasion 
the  venerable  Bishop  of  Ohio  took  part  in  these  meet- 
ings,— speaking  and  praying  with  the  fervour  of  a  piety 
which  had  been  devoted  from  early  youth,  but  was  glow- 
ing afresh  with  the  warmth  of  that  great  work  of  God  in 
America  in  the  year  1857.  Deeply  were  his  hearers 
interested  in  his  accounts  of  that  time  of  blessing.  '  Half 
a  million,'  he  said,  '  might  probably  be  under  the  mark,'  in 
speaking  of  the  number  of  those  who  had  been  brought 
from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto 
God,  in  the  course  of  a  few  months.  He  bore  a  delightful, 
testimony,  from  his  personal  knowledge,  as  to  the  stead- 
fastness of  the  religious  character  of  many  of  these  con- 
verts ;  and  also  of  numbers  of  whom  he  had  heard  the 
same  good  report  from  the  clergy  of  his  diocese,  and  other 
reliable  sources. 

Bishop  M'llvaine's  visits  to  his  old  friend  were  delight- 
ful to  the  whole  family  circle,  whilst  the  charm  of  his 
conversation,  his  perfect  sympathy  on  doctrinal  points, 
and  above  all  the  spirituality  of  his  mind,  made  his  society 
peculiarly  attractive  to  my  father. 


MORE  SOULS  TO  WIX. 


371 


Each  united  with  a  strong  attachment  to  the  Articles 
and  Liturgy  of  our  Church,  a  large -heartedness  and  ab- 
sence of  all  bigotry  and  formality,  which  caused  them  to 
rejoice  in  the  spread  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ  in  any  part 
of  the  world,  and  by  any  instrumentality. 

On  the  last  of  these  visits  the  Bishop  gave  an  address 
in  the  barn  at  Beckenham,  set  apart  for  Scripture  readings, 
with  a  simplicity  and  power  which  refreshed  the  hearts  of 
his  hearers. 

Amongst  several  other  visitors,  from  both  the  Northern 
and  Southern  States  of  America,  was  Colonel  Henderson 
Smith,  the  head  of  the  Military  College  of  Lexington,  Vir- 
ginia. ^A'hilst  staying  at  the  rector}-  he  visited  Addis- 
combe,  and  joined  the  cadets  in  their  Bible -reading  with 
lively  interest  and  sympathy,  having  himself  been  engaged 
in  fostering  a  similar  awakening  into  spiritual  life  in  his 
own  college,  where  more  than  a  hundred  youths  gave 
evidence  of  conversion. 

The  near  neio-hbourhood  of  Beckenham  to  Addino^ton 
Park,  brought  my  father  into  frequent  contact  with  his 
old  and  valued  friend  the  late  Archbishop  Sumner. 
Between  these  aged  servants  of  God  there  was  an  in- 
describable sympathy ;  their  guilelessness  of  heart,  their 
cheerful  piety,  and  unfailing  charity,  causing  them  each 
to  delight  in  the  other's  society. 

Well  remembered  still  in  Beckenham,  is  the  beautiful 
sight  of  these  two  venerable  men,  standing  side  by  side 
within  the  chancel-rails  of  the  old  church,  at  the  marriage 
of  my  father's  eldest  grandchild,  on  the  29th  of  July  1857. 


372 


MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MAESH,  D.D, 


Wlien  the  service  was  ended,  and  the  guests  returned 
to  the  rectory,  they  found  the  school-children  and  many 
of  the  villagers  assembled  on  the  lawn,  ready  to  show 
their  sympathy  in  the  happy  occasion,  and  to  welcome  the 
young  bride  and  bridegroom  by  singing  a  hymn  of  praise 
to  the  gracious  Father,  '  who  giveth  us  richly  all  things  to 
enjoy/  Many  were  the  bright  faces  seen  on  that  wedding- 
day  ;  but  none  were  more  bright  than  those  of  the  revered 
archbishop  and  the  beloved  grandfather ;  who,  with  hearts 
which  never  outlived  their  first  freshness,  rejoiced  with 
them  that  did  rejoice. 

Later  in  the  day,  my  father  gave  a  short  address  to  all 
present;  and  commended  in  prayer  to  God  those  who 
were  just  setting  out  together  on  the  journey  of  life. 

The  months  of  August  and  September  of  the  same  year 
were  spent  at  Malvern.  In  the  midst  of  the  enjoyment  of 
that  golden  summer,  so  rich  in  foliage,  fruits  and  flowers, 
like  a  black  thunder- cloud  came  the  terrible  tidings  of  the 
Indian  Mutiny.  Deeply  and  painfully  did  my  father 
share  in  the  general  distress  occasioned  by  those  dreadful 
despatches,  which  filled  Ihe  press  of  the  day  with  horrors 
— and  hearts  and  homes  with  misery. 

In  common  with  so  many  others,  my  father  had  ties 
both  of  friendship  and  of  relationship  in  India;  and  amongst 
the  former,  the  great  and  good  Sir  Henry  Lawrence  stood 
foremost.  Personally  they  were  strangers,  but  Sir  Henry's 
marriage  with  the  sister  of  the  Rev.  William  Knox  Mar- 
shall had  brought  them  into  occasional  connexion  by 
correspondence,  and  more  frequent  letters  to  a  member  of 
his  family,  on  the  state  of  religion  and  general  affairs  in 


MORE  SOULS  TO 


373 


India,  liad  so  deeply  interested  liim  in  Sir  Henry's  mind 
and  character,  that  when  a  telegTam  brought  the  fatal 
news  of  the  death,  at  Lucknow,  of  that  gallant  chief,  my 
father  mourned  for  him  as  for  a  dear  and  personal  friend, 
as  well  as  for  the  blow  to  British  India,  in  the  loss  of  one 
of  her  noblest  and  most  gifted  sons. 

The  subject  of  the  state  of  India  entered  frequently  at 
this  crisis  into  his  sermons  and  addresses ;  as  it  was  his 
habit  to  interweave  present  and  public  interests  with  his 
teaching.  And  gladly,  both  at  Malvern,  and  at  Becken- 
ham  on  his  return  there,  he  promoted  and  joined  in 
prayer-meetings  on  behalf  of  the  English  in  India. 

In  tlie  autumn  of  the  same  3'ear,  large  numbers  of  rail- 
way men  were  assembled,  in  and  near  Beckenham,  to 
construct  the  lines  there.  My  father  was  not  a  little  in- 
terested in  hearing  of  their  eager  s}'TQpathy  with  the 
details  of  the  war.  He  marked  several  passages  to  be 
read  to  them  from  the  newspapers,  narrating  anecdotes  of 
chivabous  courage  and  generosity,  not  alone  of  our  officers 
and  soldiers  in  the  East,  but  also  amongst  civilians, 
missionaries,  women,  children,  and  the  native  Christians. 

Xo  story  of  brave  readiness  for  self-sacrifice  charmed 
him  more  than  that  of  a  clergyman,  the  son  and  gTandson 
of  two  dear  old  friends  of  his  own;  who,  after  winning 
the  highest  honours  at  Oxford,  had  volunteered  to  go  to 
India  as  a  missionary  in  connexion  with  the  Church  ]\Iis- 
sionaiy  Society,  and  who  had,  after  a  time,  undertaken 
the  presidency  of  then-  college  at  Agra,  for  training  native 
missionaries.  When  the  fort  of  that  city  was  closed,  in 
immediate  expectation  of  a  siege  by  the  mutineers,  five 


374 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


hundred  native  Christians,  many  of  whom  were  members 
of  his  own  congregation,  came  beneath  its  walls,  entreating 
to  be  permitted  to  take  refuge  there. 

The  governor  feared  that  the  supply  of  provisions  would 
prove  totally  inadequate  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  num- 
bers already  within  the  walls  ;  and  thought  it  was  his 
duty  to  refuse  admission. 

'  Then,'  said  the  faithful  pastor,  '  I  will  go  out  and 
perish  with  them.  They  shall  not  be  left  as  sheep  with- 
out a  shepherd,  in  their  hour  of  peril.' 

But  before  he  could  fulfil  the  word,  the  eloquence  of 
the  intended  self-sacrifice  had  prevailed,  and  the  governor 
ordered  the  gates  to  be  thrown  open,  saying,  '  Mr.  French 
has  saved  the  native  Christians.' 

It  had  been  arranged  by  the  Society  for  promoting 
Christianity  amongst  the  Jews  that  there  should  be  a 
jubilee  celebration  of  its  fiftieth  year  in  1858,  and  an 
earnest  request  had  been  forwarded  to  my  father — the  last 
survivor  of  the  founders  of  the  association — that  he  would 
preach  at  the  church  of  the  Society's  Home  Mission  Sta- 
tion, Palestine  Place,  Bethnal  Green,  on  the  occasion. 

Although  he  was  suffering  from  an  attack  of  inflamma- 
tion in  the  eyes,  he  joyfully  consented  to  render  his  ser  - 
vices on  a  day  which  called  forth  some  of  the  warmest 
thanksgivings  of  his  heart ;  for,  in  his  devotion  to  the 
welfare  of  the  Jewish  nation,  he  might  almost  have  said, 
with  the  royal  Psalmist,  '  If  I  do  not  remember  thee,  let 
my  tongue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth ;  if  I  prefer 
not  Jerusalem  above  my  chief  joy.' 


MORE  SOULS  TO  WIN. 


375 


The  day  appointed  for  the  jubilee  service  proved  to  be 
bitterly  cold,  and  we  all  felt  anxious  about  the  risk  he 
was  incurring  for  his  eyes,  in  their  suffering  condition. 
But  he  never  knew  fear  when  in  the  path  of  duty ;  and 
about  this  duty,  for  him,  there  was  all  the  glow  of  pleasure. 

His  text  was  taken  from  Eomans  xi.  33,  '  0  the  depth 
of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom  and  knowledge  of  God  ! 
How  unsearchable  are  His  judgments,  and  His  ways  past 
finding  out !'  After  a  brief  but  powerful  summary  of 
God's  dealings  wuth  His  ancient  people,  and  of  the  pro- 
phecies of  their  future  glory  at  the  return  of  the  Lord,  he 
besought  his  hearers  to  devote  themselves  to  'Jesus  of 
Nazareth,  the  King  of  the  Jews  describing  the  character 
of  our  Lord,  in  His  human  nature,  as  a  man  might  speak 
of  the  friend  he  most  intimately  knows  and  most  devotedly 
loves,  combined  with  the  reverence  of  the  creature  for  the 
Creator,  and  the  gratitude  of  the  sinner  towards  his 
Saviour. 

As  no  serious  increase  of  suffering  resulted  from  this 
effort,  he  began  to  cherish  the  hope  of  being  present  once 
more  at  the  May  meetings  in  Exeter  Hall.  His  long  illness 
in  the  winter  of  1856-57  had  left  him  too  much  weakened 
to  be  able  to  attempt  the  exertion  in  the  succeeding  season. 
But  now  his  spirits  rose  with  a  fresh  spring,  when  he 
received  the  pressing  invitations  of  the  Church  Missionary 
and  Jews'  Societies  again  to  plead  their  cause.  And 
cheering  was  the  greeting  which  echoed  throughout  the 
Hall  to  welcome  him,  as  once  again  he  joined  that  vast 
assembly. 

Never  had  he  looked  moi'e  radiant,  or  commanded  the 


376  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  IHARSH,  D.D. 

attention  and  the  feelings  of  the  audience  with  greater 
power.  But  it  was  for  the  last  time  that  his  presence  was 
to  shed  its  mellowed  light  upon  that  platform.  Standing 
on  the  brink  of  his  eighty- third  year,  the  last  of  the 
fathers  left  from  that  band  of  evangelical  clergy — born  of 
the  Eevival  of  the  last  century — who  had  nurtured,  and 
worked,  and  preached,  and  pleaded  for  these  Societies, 
had  now  taken  his  farewell  of  them,  leaving  them  as  a 
sacred  legacy  to  the  next  generation. 

In  the  course  of  the  same  spring,  my  father  had  the 
pleasure  of  welcoming  a  friend  whom  he  had  scarcely  seen 
since  the  days  when  he  and  his  brother,  Mr.  Lambart  of 
Beau  Pare,  had  been  received  in  their  early  youth,  almost 
as  sons,  into  his  family  circle  at  Edgbaston.  The  Kev. 
Charles  Lambart  came  to  bring  his  only  boy  for  my 
fathers  blessing,  before  sending  him  on  a  voyage  round 
the  world ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  to  tell  his  aged  friend 
how  deep  was  his  own  debt  of  gratitude  for  the  spiritual 
benefit  he  had  received  from  him  in  his  youth. 

A  young  friend,  who  spent  some  time  at  Beckenham 
Kectory  in  this  year,  wrote  of  him  as  follows  : — 

' ...  I  AM  writing  to  pay  a  last  grateful  tribute  to  the 
memory  of  Dr.  Marsh.  I  do  not  know  whether  you  will 
remember  the  first  visit  I  paid  at  Beckenham.  I  was  about 
seventeen ;  and  when  the  happy  time  had  come  to  an  end, 
you  said  I  might  go  up  stairs  into  dear  Dr.  Marsh's  sitting- 
room,  to  say  good-bye  to  him.  I  explained  that  I  was 
just  going,  and  had  come  to  take  leave.  "  I  am  sorry  you 
are  going,  my  dear,"  was  the  reply  of  one  who  never  spoke 


MOEE  SOULS  TO  WIX. 


377 


but  in  kindness,  "  bnt  you  know  there  must  be  partings 
here.  I  have  a  little  book  for  you" — (giving  me  the 
^Memorials  of  Archdeacon  Brown's  Son).  "  And  now,  never 
forget  three  words, — a  Soul,  a  Saviour,  and  a  Heaven." 

'  I  shall  always  remember  the  impression  of  those  words, 
with  the  beaming  look  of  love  yearning  over  a  human 
soul.  I  felt  as  if  God  had  told  him  to  say  it  to  me.  I 
left  Dr.  Marsh  to  go  and  pray  to  the  Saviour  for  the  first 
time,  that  I  might  spend  my  life  in  His  service.  And 
now,  may  I  be  one  of  the  hundreds  who  through  a  bright 
eternity  will  thank  God  they  ever  knew  Dr.  Marsh  !  That 
smile  has  often  shone  upon  me  as  sunshine  since.  I  can- 
not recal  it  without  tears ;  and  it  will  still  be  the  same  until 
I  see  him  where  all  is  sunshine.  I  have  often  tried  to 
summon  courage  to  tell  him  the  blessing  he  had  been  to 
me,  but  shyness  prevented  me.  Now  it  is  a  tribute 
which  I  owe  to  his  sacred  and  lovely  memory ;  and  may 
many  of  his  beautiful  thoughts,  repeated  to  others,  by 
God's  mercy,  lead  them  to  the  feet  of  Christ.  I  shall 
never  see  any  one  else  like  him  for  his  delicacy  of  kind- 
ness and  goodness.  I  have  watched  him  when  any  one 
happened  to  be  sitting  apart,  perhaps,  as  it  may  have 
seemed,  unnoticed,  contrive  to  say  a  pleasant  word,  and 
bring  him  at  once  within  the  circle,  without  ever  letting 
him  feel  that  he  did  it  for  his  sake.  Time  can  never 
give  again  the  joys  he  shed  about  him,  and  eternity  only 
will  show  how  broadcast  were  the  blessings  he  scattered/ 

This  summer  brought  a  new  gladness  to  my  father's 
heart,  in  the  birth  of  his  first  great-grandson,  and  he 


378  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

expressed  liis  wish  tliat  his  own  birthday  should  be  kept 
on  the  day  of  the  babe's  christening. 

Accordingly,  the  usual  festivity  was  postponed  until  the 
young  mother  and  her  infant  son  were  able  to  come  to 
Beckenham.  But  in  order  that  he  might  have  some  part 
of  his  usual  enjoyment  on  his  birthday,  the  school- 
children were  invited  to  see  him  at  the  rectory;  and, 
after  hearing  from  him  a  few  words  of  loving  counsel,  to 
receive  plum-buns  from  his  own  hand.  And  not  a  little 
did.  they  enjoy  hearing  from  my  sister  a  story  of  her 
having  found  her  father  feeding  some  swans  on  a  piece 
of  water  in  Leamington,  on  the  afternoon  of  a  snowy  New 
Year's  Day.  He  was  returning  from  the  town,  wearied 
with  his  day's  work,  when  the  hungry  birds  swam  towards 
him,  and  his  benevolent  heart  could  not  resist  the  mute 
appeal.  So,  tired  as  he  was,  he  had  turned  back  again 
into  the  town,  that  he  might  get  a  bag  of  buns  for  them. 

'Not  children  only,  but  many  a  grown-up  guest,  will 
recall  the  regularity  of  his  application  for  crumbs  and 
broken  bread  all  round  the  breakfast- table,  morning  by 
morning,  that  he  might  feed  the  birds,  who  soon  began  to 
know  him  as  their  friend,  and  took  no  alarm  at  sight  of 
his  face  at  the  window.  When  he  left  home  at  any  time, 
this  office  was  always  given  into  the  hands  of  some  one 
whom  he  could  trust  not  to  forget  to  care  for  his  little 
feathered  flock. 

'  When  the  day  came  for  the  baptism  of  little  Ealph 
William  Anstruther,  the  great-grandsire's  heart  over- 
flowed with  prayer  and  praise.  As  Captain  Anstruther's 
family  had  always  belonged  to  the  Church  of  Scotland, 


MORE  SOULS  TO  WIN. 


379 


the  child  was  baptized  according  to  the  form  of  that 
Church,  by  Dr.  Cnmming,  in  the  drawing-room  of  Becken- 
ham  Eectory.  After  Dr.  Gumming  had  given  an  earnest 
and  beautiful  address  to  the  parents  upon  their  new 
duties,  my  father  took  in  his  arms  the  infant  already  so 
dear  to  him  for  his  mother's  sake,  and  afterwards  to  be 
for  his  own,  and  adding  a  few  tender  and  solemn  words, 
concluded  with  prayer/ 

Then  followed  the  usual  birthday  gathering  of  the  aged 
poor,  whom  he  addressed  on  the  subject  of  four  great  gifts 
of  God  to  man  : — His  Son  ;  His  Spirit ;  His  Scriptures  ; 
His  Sabbath. 

There  were  three  appointed  seasons  of  joyful  family 
gatherings  at  Beckenham  Eectory—  Christmas,  Easter,  and 
the  20th  of  July.  But  every  reasonable  excuse,  such  as  a 
weddinfj  or  a  christening;,  which  could  be  made  an  occasion 
for  adding  to  the  number  of  these  happy  reunions  in  this 
patriarchal  home,  was  eagerly  responded  to  by  children 
and  grandchildren.  ISTone  more  delighted  in  these  cheer- 
ful seasons  than  my  father;  and  at  other  times  not  the 
least  of  his  pleasures  was  to  see  around  him  orphan  or 
motherless  boys,  or  children  whose  parents  were  in  India, 
brought  to  the  rectory  by  his  son-in-law  and  daughter,  to 
spend,  amidst  the  cheerfulness  of  that  happy  home,  the 
holiday  time  which  would  otherwise  have  been  passed  at 
school.  Every  school-boy  sought  his  presence  as  the  pro- 
per place  for  enjoyment,  reposing  his  confidences  in  him 

^  Several  years  afterwards  Dr.  Cumming  wrote,  '  Well  do  I  remember 
the  noble  and  loving  Simeon  who  blessed  the  child  that  day.' 


380  MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

concerning  new  riddles,  small  purchases  (generally  the 
outlay  of  a  gift  from  him),  and  plans  for  boyish  pleasure, 
as  naturally  as,  in  fitting  seasons,  he  listened  to  the  tender 
counsels  and  pithy  sayings,  full  of  common-sense  and 
heavenly  wisdom,  which  fell  from  the  lips  of  the  aged 
saint. 

Amongst  the  guests  at  Beckenham  Eectory,  in  the 
summer  of  1858,  was  one  whose  frequent  visits  during 
the  past  nineteen  years  had  been  almost  as  welcome  to  my 
father  as  were  those  of  his  own  absent  children.  Henry 
S —  was  the  son  of  a  valued  friend,  who  had  lived  for 
the  glory  of  his  Divine  Master,  and  died  rejoicing  in  the 
assurance  of  His  everlasting  love ;  and  he  had  been 
beloved  for  his  father's  sake,  as  well  as  for  his  own.  He 
was  a  man  of  rare  quality  of  mind,  whose  ready  wit  was 
ever  softened  by  a  tender  consideration  for  the  feelings 
of  others,  and  whose  high  poetic  gift  was  balanced  by 
sound  judgment  and  remarkable  common  sense.  The  ideal 
of  a  true  and  genuine  Englishman,  the  very  sight  of  his 
face,  and  the  ring  of  his  laugh,  spread  an  irresistible  cheer- 
fulness throughout  the  house,  whilst  the  shyest  child,  won 
by  his  bright  smile,  sought  shelter  in  his  strong  arms. 
But  one  thing  was  wanting  to  give  stability  to  his  cha- 
racter and  force  to  his  purpose, — the  union  of  his  soul  to 
his  Saviour  through  the  power  of  living  faith.  For  years 
he  had  been  pleaded  for  in  prayer,  yet  prayer  seemed  still 
unanswered ;  but  now  the  time  was  come  to  prove  that 
it  had  not  been  unheard. 

During  the  week  he  spent  at  the  rectory  he  had  many 


MORE  SOULS  TO  WIX. 


381 


conversations  witli  my  father  on  scriptural  subjects,  and 
there  was  a  softened  tone  about  his  manner  of  speaking 
of  these  things ;  and,  as  the  days  went  on,  it  was  evident 
to  those  who  anxiously  obsen^ed  him,  that  the  impression, 
which  seemed  deepening  hour  by  hour,  was  no  mere 
passing  matter  of  impulse.  On  Sunday  evening  it  had 
been  arranged  that  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper 
should  be  administered  at  the  rectory  to  an  invalid  guest, 
the  young  widow  of  my  father's  beloved  friend  the  late 
Duke  of  Manchester,  who  had  expressed  her  wish  to  par- 
take of  that  blessed  feast.  Several  members  of  the  family 
wished  to  join  in  the  communion,  and  those  who  knew 
Henry  S —  felt  that  it  would  be  a  testing  time  with 
him,  and  that  if  he  felt  assured  of  the  sincerity  and  truth 
of  his  present  desire  for  a  change  of  heart  and  intent  to 
lead  a  new  life,  he  would  decide  to  join  the  little  band 
about  to  commemorate  their  Saviour's  dying  love,  and 
thus  make  an  open  profession  of  his  faith  in  that  Saviour. 
Throughout  the  day  my  father  had  been  earnest  in  prayer 
for  the  son  of  his  old  friend,  and  when  all  were  assembled, 
and  the  service  was  about  to  commence,  I  saw  a  look  of 
heavenly  joy  in  his  face  as  his  glance  fell  on  Henry  S — , 
kneeling  amongst  the  number,  his  head  bowed  in  earnest 
prayer. 

That  night  was  the  turning  point  of  our  friend's  history. 
The  voice  of  God  had  spoken  to  his  heart,  and  he  pre- 
sented himself  as  a  living  sacrifice  to  the  Saviour  who  had 
loved  him  and  given  Himself  for  him.  By  the  power  of 
the  Holy  Ghost  working  in  him,  he  escaped  from  the 
bands  of  sin,  and  through  depths  of  penitence  for  talents 


382 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  xMARSH,  D.D. 


wasted  and  time  misspent,  he  rose  up  at  length  to  walk  in 
the  light  of  his  Saviour's  countenance. 

In  the  following  month  of  October  he  became  seriously 
ill ;  and  during  a  temporary  improvement  he  thus  wrote  : — 

*  I  am  afraid,  even  if  it  please  God  I  should  be  cured,  I 
shall  never  be  strong  again :  but  knowing  my  own  miser- 
able instability,  I  cannot  pray  to  be  led  into  the  temp- 
tation of  health  and  strength  any  more.  ]\Iy  strongest 
wish  as  to  earth  is  that  I  may  be  spared  a  little  longer  to 
tend  the  declining  years  of  my  mother,  and  in  a  very 
subordinate  way  do  some  work  for  God.  I  have  done 
plenty  for  the  devil. 

'  Continue  to  pray  for  me,  that  my  sins,  which  are 
many,  may  be  forgiven,  and  that  I  may  therefore  love 
much.  If  I  am  sincere  now,  as  I  sometimes  hope,  I  could 
not  stand  a  moment  without  the  Spirit's  continual  help, 

*  I  often  think  (with  an  earnest  desire  to  follow  in  the 
same  path,  however  far  behind)  of  the  simple,  self-forget- 
ting, yet  fearless,  way  in  which  Hedley  Vicars  always 
went  about  with  the  name  of  Jesus  on  his  lips,  and  His 
love  in  his  heart ;  so  that  all  who  met  w^ith  him  "  took 
knowledge  of  him  that  he  had  been  with  Jesus." 

'  The  zeal  and  activity  of  dear  Blackwood,  too,  so  early 
in  his  Christian  course,  reprove  the  backwardness  one 
feels  when  a  word  might  be  said  in  season. 

*  Your  father,  my  father,  and  Joseph  John  Gurney, 
w^ere  remarkable  for  somehow  always,  whatever  the  con- 
versation was,  gradually  drawing  it  towards  their  ruling 
subject. 


3irOEE  SOULS  TO  WIN. 


383 


'  I  hope,  if  I  live  to  see  you  again,  we  shall  be  able  to 
commune  freely  about  the  way  of  peace,  and  of  Him  who 
"  is  our  peace."  I  never  could  before.  Xow,  from  down 
in  the  depths,  I  look  up  to  Him  who  bore  our  sins  in  His 
own  body  on  the  tree,  and  I  dare  not  dovM  His  power  nor 
His  will  to  pardon  even  me. 

'  Write  to  me  as  often  as  you  can.  Your  letters  are  a 
great  help  and  comfort.  And  dear  Marianne  Acklom 
writes  me  sisterly  letters  of  Christian  counsel,  which  I 
value  highly. 

'  I  must  ever  thank  God  for  that  last  visit  to  Becken- 
ham.  ...  It  is  a  beloved  home ;  and  your  dear  honoured 
father's  presence  sheds  a  halo  around  it.' 

Within  three  short  weeks  after  that  letter  was  written, 
on  the  26th  of  Xovember,  Henry  S —  died. 


The  following  lines  were  found  in  a  desk  by  his  side, 
and  were  evidently  written  only  a  few  days  before  his 
death  : — 

'  A  still  small  voice  said  unto  me, 
"  Thou  art  so  full  of  misery, 
Wnt  thou  not  now  to  Jesus  flee?" 

I  am  ashamed,  my  heart  replied, 
To  flee  to  Him  I  have  denied, 
Yea,  have  betray'd  and  crucified. 

"  Yet,"  urged  the  voice,  "  thou  art  undone, 
And  other  refuge  there  is  none 
But  in  the  blood  of  God's  dear  Son. 

Thy  soul  in  its  pollution  lies, 
Hideous  and  loathsome  to  the  eyes  ; 
There  is  but  One  that  purifies. 


384 


MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


In  sadder  plight  thou  could'st  not  be  ; 
Thy  Maker's  face  thou  may'st  not  see, — 
Thou  hast  no  robe  to  cover  thee." 

Then  did  my  troubled  spirit  groan, — 
All  that  thou  say'st  T  long  have  known  ; 
My  vileness  and  my  need  I  own. 

I  know  that  in  Love's  sea  I  might 
Cast  my  pollutions  out  of  sight, 
.  Nor  stain  those  waters  pure  and  bright ; 

T  know  the  Spirit's  quickening  breath 
Could  raise  my  soul  from  sin  and  death  ; 
But  one  dark  shadow  hindereth. 

How  can  I  hope  to  be  sincere, 
Should  I,  in  trouble  and  in  fear, 
To  the  Redeemer's  cross  draw  near? 

Bemembering  the  day  of  woe. 
When  to  that  Fount  I  seem'd  to  go. 
Whose  healing  waters  overflow. 

Pardon  and  peace  I  seem'd  to  implore, 
But  soon,  that  sheltering  sickness  o'er. 
Sin  was  triumphant  as  before. 

Should  mercy  now  the  stroke  remove, 
Will  not  a  heart  so  faithless  prove 
A  double  traitor  to  His  love  ? 

Once  more  that  still  small  voice  did  say, — 
"  If  thou  from  Grace  didst  fall  away, 
Haply  thou  didst  not  watch  and  pray  : 

But  thy  forgetfulness  and  pride 

On  something  else  than  Grace  relied, — 

Leaned  on  some  reed  that  pierced  thy  side. 

Or,  if  thou  never  cam'st  before. 

All  doors  are  closed  but  Mercy's  door, 

Thou  shouldst  come  now,  and  sin  no  more." 

[Then)  "Just  as  I  am,  without  one  plea. 

But  that  Thy  blood  was  shed  for  me, 
And  that  Thou  bidst  me  come  to  Thee — 
0  Lamb  of  God,  I  come," ' 


MORE  SOULS  TO  WIN. 


385 


'  The  following  letters  were  written  by  my  father  in  the 
course  of  the  same  year  : — 

TO  CAPTAIX  ANSTRUTHER,  GRENADIER  GUARDS. 

'Becke^tham,  1858. 

'  My  dearest  Egbert, — Your  handwiting  is  very  plea- 
sant to  ns,  as  well  as  darling  Louie's.  We  rejoice  that 
you  have  had  such  a  pleasant  time  in  the  north,  but  we 
long  to  see  you  again  in  the  south. 

'  Thank  God,  wherever  you  are,  you  have  entered  upon 
the  narrow  path,  which  not  only  leads  to  life,  but  honours 
the  Eedeemer  by  the  way.  If  at  any  time  any  sacrifice 
be  made  in  that  path,  there  will  be  a  proportionate,  and 
more  than  proportionate  reward.  But,  in  the  present  day, 
few  are  called,  as  our  forefathers  were,  to  a  conformity  to 
their  Lord  in  His  sufferings.  Yet  I  can  remember,  in  my 
time,  when  a  determined  profession  of  religion,  and  conse- 
quent departure  from  former  modes  of  life,  gave  great 
offence.  My  poor  dear  father  (though  one  of  the  kindest 
of  men)  said  at  first  of  me,  "  I  will  cut  him  off  with  a 
shilling but  he  lived  to  say,  out  of  the  generosity  of  his 
heart,  "  He  is  the  saviour  of  the  family."  !N"either  saying 
was  right,  but  it  shows  what  a  change  can  take  place  in 
favour  of  the  conscience  of  another.  I  did,  thank  God, 
live  to  see  my  dear  mother  and  sister  very  decidedly  on 
the  Lord's  side.  You  are  privileged  in  having  parents 
who  know  and  love  the  truth.  May  you  ever  "  walk  in 
the  truth;"  and  may  you  be  happy  in  a  Saviour's  love, 
and  useful  in  a  Saviour's  service  ! 

'  I  can  conceive  no  greater  honour,  and  no  greater  hap- 

2  B 


386  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

piness  on  earth,  especially  when  those  we  love  think  the 
same. 

'  Mrs.  Marsh  begs  me  to  give  her  love  to  you  and 
Louie,  and  kind  regards  to  Sir  Ealph  and  Lady  Anstruther, 
in  which  I  heartily  join. 

'  Bless  you  both,  my  darlings,  Wm.  Marsh.' 

'  Beckenham,  Kent,  S.E.,  July  14,  1858. 

*  My  dear  Eobert, — What  a  treat  you  have  sent  me  in 
the  letter  of  M.  A.  S. 

'  I  call  that  "  ancient  Christianity we  want  more  of  it 
in  modern  times.  It  is  ivliole-liearted.  May  you  and 
darling  Louie  ever  with  purpose  of  heart  cleave  to  the 
Lord. 

*  I  shall  be  pleased  to  have  my  name  linked  with  the 
name  of  Ealph. 

'  I  shall  like  much  to  be  present  with  Dr.  Gumming. 
You  know  my  views  of  different  churches.  Every  man 
has  a  right  to  a  spirit  of  preference.  N"o  man  has  a  right 
to  a  spirit  of  exclusion.    Leave  that  to  unhappy  Eome. 

'  The  accounts  you  send  are  very  cheering.  "  Giving 
thanks  always  for  all  things"  is  our  rule ;  a  good  man, 
Dr.  Eing,  used  to  say,  "  thanksliving  is  the  best  thanks- 
giving." But  we  must  add,  both  are  best !  He  also  one 
day  recommended  a  specific  against  murmuring.  "  I  will 
bless  the  Lord  at  all  times  :  His  praise  shall  continually 
be  in  my  mouth." 

'  Tell  my  darling  "  Marny"  to  rest  as  much  as  she  can, 
that  her  strength  may  be  renewed  for  future  work. 

'  My  best  love  to  darling  Louie,  and  my  respectful 


MOEE  SOULS  TO  WIN. 


387 


compliments  to  "The  Stranger!" — Your  most  affectionate 
"  Grandsire,"  Wm.  Ma.rsh.' 

*  P.S. — You  have  answered  my  riddle  in  the  five  letters 
of  a  certain  little  lady's  name  quite  correctly.  Xow  I  will 
send  you  my  answer  in  verse  : — 

A  Christian  wife  is  cheering  as  the  sun, 

Her  smiles  all  innocence,  all  guilelessuess  her  fun  ; 

Her  speech  like  honey  ;  shining  as  the  light 

Her  life,  warm  as  the  day,  and  pure  as  moonbeams  bright ; 

Soars  like  the  lark,  her  soul ;  her  form  as  slight, 

And  step  as  soft,  as  fairy's  hid  from  sight ; 

Wise  as  the  serpent,  harmless  as  the  dove, 

Because  she  loves  her  God,  and  lives  in  holy  love.' 


TO  HIS  YOUNGEST  DAUGHTER. 

'  IsLTP  Rectory,  near  Oxford, 
Aug.  13,  1858. 

'  I  HOPE  you  have  received  a  line  I  enclosed  to  dearest 
Matilda,  informing  you  of  our  prosperous  journey,  and  of 
my  blowing  the  trumpet  on  Sunday  afternoon.  The  blast 
was  on  Eev.  xxii.  12. 

'  To-day  my  memory  is  repeating  a  verse  or  two  of  a 
hymn  I  learned  sixty  years  ago. 

"  In  this  world  of  sin  and  sorrow. 

Compassed  round  with  many  a  care, 
From  Eternity  we  borrow 

Hope,  which  will  exclude  despair. 

Thee,  triumphant  God  and  Saviour, 

Darkly  through  a  glass  we  see  ; 
Oh  I  assist  each  faint  endeavour  ; 

Raise  our  earth-bora  souls  to  Tbee." 


388 


MEMOIR  OF-  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


'  Xothing  will  go  quite  right,  on  a  general  scale,  till  the 
Kjing  returns  ;  till  He  takes  to  Himself  His  great  power, 
and  reigns.  Nevertheless,  we  may  yet  expect  great 
things.  Tlie  wonderful  awakening  in  America  shows  us 
this.  And  "  open  thy  mouth  wide"  encourages  this. 
You  know  it  by  happy  experience.  "  Cast  not  away  your 
confidence,  which  hath  great  recompense  of  reward." 

'  ]\Irs.  ;Marsh  sends  her  love  to  you.  What  a  delightful 
letter  from  Lady  Maria  Forester.  How  gi'eatly  God  has 
blessed  some  of  the  members  of  that  family  !  Dear  Lord 
Eoden  will  not  come  under  the  "  Woe  unto  you  when  all 
men  speak  well  of  you."  Yet  those  who  attacked  him 
must  have  felt  in  their  consciences  that  he  was  right,  and 
now  they  allow  his  light  to  be  a  true  light.  The  disciple 
of  Christ  may  well  wait  patiently.' 

'  Love  from  all  here,  to  all  at  Chilham. — Ever  3-our 
most  loving  father,  Wm.  Marsh.' 

To  the  Same. 

*  35  Marina,  St.  Leo>*ards-on-the-Sea, 
Septemher  17,  1858. 

'  As  idle  man  has  no  time  to  write  a  Utter.  I  am  an 
idle  man  here,  but  I  will  sign  my  name  to  this  bit  of 
paper,  and  just  say  we  have  received  your  delightful  letter. 
"  Attempt  great  things  ;  expect  great  things." 

'  I  do  not  much  wonder  at  that  Christian  lady  meet- 
ing with  opposition ;  for  Satan  is  not  yet  bound.  But  it 
was  certainly  extraordinary  in  her  case.  It  will  be  over- 
ruled. The  enemy  overshoots  his  mark.  I  trust  she  will 
not  be  discouraged. 


MORE  SOULS  TO  WIX. 


389 


'  Send  me  a  copy  of  the  forthcoming  Letters,  especially 
the  one  to  the  prisoners;  lest  I  should  do  something 
^\Tong  to  be  sent  to  jail  in  order  to  get  one. 

'  Dear  little  Katie  Marshall  is  with  us,  adding  to  our 
fun. 

'  Great  blessings  attend  all  your  words. 

'  We  had  a  very  pleasant  visit  at  Bearwood.  It  is  a 
charming  place ;  and  ^Ir.  AValter  is  a  most  kind  and 
agreeable  host.  The  clergyman  is  author  of  an  interesting 
biography  of  Jeremy  Taylor.  In  reading  it,  I  discovered 
a  new  relation.  My  great-grandfather^  married  Jeremy 
Taylor's  third  daughter. 

'  But  I  hope  we  are  all  related  much  farther  back,  even 
to  Abraham  (Gal.  iii.  7). 

'  Dear  William  and  Eose,  and  sweet  little  fair  Eosa- 
mond,  are  well.  St.  Leonards  seems  to  suit  them,  and  is 
a  fine  field  for  work. 

'  China  opened  to  the  gospel,  as  well  as  to  merchandise  ! 
We  live  in  wonderful  times.  The  crisis  is  approaching. 
In  the  meantime,  may  there  be  a  great  outpouring  of 
the  Spirit  of  God,  to  "  accomplish  the  number  of  His  elect, 
and  to  hasten  His  kingdom."  I  like  the  marginal  trans- 
lation of  2  Pet.  iii.  12,  'Hasting  the  coming.'  It  should 
excite  disciples  to  much  prayer  and  great  labour.  For 
the  elect's  sake  the  days  may  be  shortened  :  even  the  days 
of  delusion  and  lukewarmness. 

*  .  .  .  How  great  is  the  mercy  that  has  brought  us  to 
abide  by  the  evident  meaning  of  Scripture,  especially  on 
the  vital  subject  of  the  atonement — Death,  that  we  might 

^  Arclibishop  of  Dublin. 


390 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


have  Life,  i^one  can  so  forcibly  feel  the  obligation  to  live 
to  Him.  as  the  soul  that  knows  it  has  been  "  bought  with 
a  price." 

*  Writing  by  owl-liglit,  and  almost  as  blind  as  a  bat. — 
Ever  thy  most  loving  father,  W.  Marsh.' 

In  the  month  of  October  of  the  same  year,  my  father 
visited  his  eldest  daughter  and  Mr.  Trench  at  Islip  Eec  - 
tory.  He  was  delighted  with  all  that  he  saw  of  their 
plans  for  the  good  of  the  villagers,  who  seemed  to  have 
learnt  from  his  daughter's  devoted  and  reverent  affection 
for  him  to  hail  his  visits  as  if  they  could  not  fail  to  bring 
a  blessing.  The  society  of  his  little  grand- daughters  was 
a  great  additional  charm  to  him,  for  he  never  felt  a  home 
to  be  complete  without  a  child  in  it. 

In  company  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Trench,  he  went  to 
Sandford  Park,  to  visit  his  friend  Dr.  Guest,  Master  of 
Caius  College,  Cambridge,  whose  sisters  had  in  former 
years  derived  great  benefit  from  his  ministry;  and  on 
leaving  Islip,  he  spent  a  few  days  with  Mr.  Walter, 
at  Bearwood,  preaching  on  the  Sunday  in  the  village 
church.  He  next  went  to  St.  Leonards,  to  remain  a  fort- 
night with  his  son  and  daughter-in-law.  Their  only 
child,  a  lovely  little  girl  of  six  years  old,  was  then,  and 
for  the  remainder  of  her  brief  life,  a  great  delight  to  him. 
My  father  preached  twice  in  his  son's  church  during  this 
visit,  and  spoke  at  a  missionary  meeting  in  the  public 
hall ;  taking  even  more  than  his  usual  hearty  interest  in 
every  plan  for  the  benefit  of  the  parish. 

On  his  return  to  Beckenham,  he  shared  with  Mr. 


MORE  SOULS  TO  WIX. 


391 


Chalmers  and  my  sister  the  happiness  of  welcoming  their 
eldest  son,  then  in  the  Eifle  Brigade,  back  from  India, 
after  an  eighteen  months'  campaign,  during  the  suppres- 
sion of  the  mutiny ;  and  with  a  true  old  soldier's  heart 
rejoiced  in  the  high  character  for  courage  and  steadfast- 
ness which  he  had  won  in  twenty- seven  engagements. 

With  his  old  delight  in  pastoral  work,  he  cared  for  each 
of  the  various  plans  for  doing  good  in  the  parish,  con- 
tinuing himself  to  preach  and  to  give  expositions  of  Scrip- 
ture ;  with  his  heart,  at  the  same  time,  going  out  to  all 
the  o]d  world-wide  interests  connected  with  the  spread  of 
the  kingdom  of  Christ. 

It  was  towards  the  close  of  the  same  year  that  a  last 
visit  was  paid  to  my  father  by  his  old  acquaintance  Mr. 
FuUer  Maitland  ;  at  whose  beautiful  residence,  Park 
Place,  my  father  and  his  family  had  often,  for  many  years 
past,  enjoyed  the  Christian  society  and  warm  friendship 
of  ^frs.  Maitland  and  her  gifted  children. 

The  two  aged  men  were  comparing  the  number  of  their 
years,  when  Mr.  ^Maitland  said  earnestly,  '  I  am  not  your 
equal  in  years ;  but  I  wish  I  were  in  wisdom  and  goodness.' 

'  We  are  both  poor  sinners,'  replied  my  father ;  *  but 
both,  I  trust,  looking  to  our  Saviour,  who  hath  said  for 
each,  "  Look  unto  me,  and  he  ye  saved!' ' 

'  I  wish  I  were  as  sure  of  it  as  you,'  was  the  rejoinder. 

My  father  then  spoke  out  of  the  abundance  of  his  heart 
of  the  freeness  and  fulness  of  the  offer  of  salvation  through 
Jesus  Christ  to  every  sinner  upon  the  face  of  God's  re- 
deemed earth,  who  will  accept  it.  He  quoted  the  words, 
*  Ho,  every  one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters,' 


392 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


adding,  '  that  call  is  to  one  wandering  away,  as  you  would 
call  to  a  man  at  a  distance,  who,  with  his  face  set  towards 
the  opposite  direction,  does  not  perceive  you.  And  how 
free  the  invitation,  "  Yea,  come,  buy  wine  and  milk,  with- 
out money  and  without  price."  "  The  Spirit  and  the  Bride 
say,  Come ;  and  let  him  that  heareth,  say.  Come.  And  let 
him  that  is  athirst  come  ;  and  tvhosoever  luill,  let  him  take 
of  the  water  of  life,  freely."  We  sliould  come,  just  as  we 
are,  without  a  moment's  delay,  for  it  is  a  Divine  command  ; 
without  a  moment's  hesitation,  for  it  is  a  most  loving 
entreaty/ 

He  then  quoted  Dr.  Valpy's  lines  : — 

'  In  peace  let  me  resign  my  breath, 
And  Thy  salvation  see  ; 
My  sins  deserve  eternal  death, 
But  Jesus  died  for  me. ' 

Mr.  Maitland  said,  '  I  must  learn  that;*  so  my  father 
wrote  down  the  verse  for  him  :  as  he  received  it,  he  said, 
'  I  shall  wear  it  near  my  heart.'  It  was  found  there  after 
his  death. 

TO  HIS  YOUNGEST  DAUGHTER. 

'Beckeniiam,  Jan.  14,  1859. 
"...  I  HAVE  just  finished  Arthur's  Tongue  of  Fire.  It 
is  a  wonderful  hook.  Some  passages  may  be  objected  to, 
still  he  guards  against  being  misunderstood.  May  it  set 
many  on  fire,  and  raise  up  a  bright  flame  amidst  smould- 
ering ashes. 

*  And  shall  we,  Lord,  for  ever  live, 
At  this  poor  dying  rate  ! ' 


MOEE  SOULS  TO  WIN. 


303 


'  I  have  a  vain  wish.    I  want  to  live  my  life  over  again. 

'  However,  there  is  a  fountain  that  washes  away  self- 
seekings  and  shortcomings,  and  all  other  blots. 

'  Our  regularly  returning  comet,  called  Mar}-,  has  left 
our  sphere  again.    She  is  brighter  than  ever. 

'  I  prayed  to-day  for  dearest  Robert  and  Louie,  that 
health  may  be  granted,  as  well  as  their  Christian  labours 
be  blessed ;  and  courage  and  steadfastness  ever  be  given 
them  in  serving  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  that  they  may 
never  be  ashamed  to  confess  Him  before  men,  nor  grow 
weary  in  well-doing. 

'  My  kindest  regards  to  all  at  Bearwood,  from  its  hospi- 
table owner  to  his  youngest  child. 

'  As  much  love,  and  more  than  words  can  express,  to 
you  and  darling  Lucy. 

'  I  have  just  given  dearest  Kennie  a  wish,  which  I 
will  give  to  children  and  grandchildren  :  A  useful  life  ; 
a  peaceful  death ;  a  happy  eternity.  All  come  through 
faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ — His  Life,  His  Death, 
His  Eternity.' 

To  the  Same. 

'  IsLip  Rectory,  Juhj  7,  1859. 

*  I  SEND  you  a  letter  for  you  to  forward  to  dear  Leila.  I 
might  add  to  the  subject  by  referring  to  the  four  daughters 
of  Philip  who  did  "  prophesy."  That  word  is  used  in  the 
New  Testament  in  the  sense  of  preaching. 

'  I  also  send  you  a  manuscript  to  read  and  comment  upon. 
Try  to  do  so  impartially.  He  is  no  reviewer  who  cannot 
find  fault.    Yet  we  hope  to  be  reviewed,  and  no  fault 


394 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D, 


found ;  not  by  the  recording  angel  dropping  a  tear,  and  so 
blotting  out  a  passage,  but  by  the  blood — inestimably 
precious  blood — of  tlie  Angel  of  the  covenant,  which 
cleanseth  from  all  sin. 

'  Dear  William  Marshall  and  Lizzy  are  here.  She  is  a 
cheerful,  pleasant  creature.  I  have  a  heap  of  letters  to 
write  to-day,  and  can  only  therefore  enclose  in  this  the 
most  weighty  of  all  things — Love.  Yet  the  law  allows 
it  to  go  for  a  penny.' 

TO  MISS  WILDMAN. 

*  December  1,  1858. 

^  '  My  dear  Leila,- — .  .  .  I  will  now  give  you  my  views 
/  of  1  Cor.  ii.    It  is  taken  for  granted  that  a  woman  might 
/  pray  or  prophesy ;  and  the  decent  and  becoming  manner 
1  of  so  doing  is  pointed  out  (1  Cor.  xi.  5-10).    It  would 
!   appear  as  if  some  women,  professing  to  be  inspired,  inter- 
fered with  the  appointed  services  of  the  minister  (1  Cor. 
j    xiv.  34).    A  woman  was  not  to  conduct  the  regular  public 
services,  as  if  she  were  the  minister.    But  this  does  not 
forbid  Christian  women  from  exhorting  or  pra3dng,  where 
persons  might  be  assembled  for  a  religious  exercise.  It 
would  not  come  under  the  idea  of  a  church.    It  is  right 
that  men  only  should  be  employed  in  the  ruling  of  a 
church.    Women  were  not  to  be  in  that  office.    'Nov  were 
I  they  permitted  to  interrupt  public  worship  by  asking 
questions  in  the  church. 

'  There  have  been  some  remarkable  instances  in  which 
women  have  been  employed  by  the  Holy  Spirit, — Miriam, 
\  Hannah,  Huldah,  etc.,  under  the  Old  Testament  dispensa- 


*  MORE  SOULS  TO  WIX. 


395 


tion ;  and  there  is  a  long  list  in  Eomans  xvi.,  under 
the  Kew  Testament.  When  God  gives  seals  to  exhorta- 
tion, who  shall  say  nay  ?  In  our  country,  in  modern 
times,  we  have  had  remarkable  instances  of  this  gift, — in 
Mrs.  Fletcher  of  Madeley,  Mrs.  Stevens  of  Knaresborough, 
among  members  of  the  Church  of  England ;  and  ^Irs.  Fry 
in  the  Society  of  Friends.  Mrs.  Stevens  addressed  any 
who  attended  her  school-room  in  the  afternoon,  when  the 
church  was  closed,  and  Dr.  M'^N'eile  was  one  of  the  fruits. 
Our  best  love  to  you  all. — Your  ever  affectionate  friend, 

'Wm.  Maesii.' 

His  views  of  the  Divine  order  concerning  the  agency  of 
women  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  were  further  expanded  in 
the  following  letter  : — 

'  ...  Ox  the  subject  of  your  letter  I  will  answer  you 
scripturally  with  the  sayings  of  a  prophet  and  two 
apostles.  Joel  speaks  of  the  outpouring  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and  foretells  that  it  would  be  upon  daughters  and 
handmaids,  Qi^  well  as  upon  sons  and  servants  (Joel  ii.  28,29). 
St.  Peter  concludes  the  primary  fulfilment  of  this  pro- 
phecy to  have  been  at  Pentecost.  Women  were  there,  and 
doubtless  partook  of  it.  In  Acts  i.  14,  15,  we  find  the 
company  consisted  of  the  eleven  apostles,  the  wom.en, 
the  mother  of  Jesus,  and  His  brethren,  and  other  dis- 
ciples ;  the  number  of  the  names  together  were  about  a 
hundred  and  twenty. 

*  In  Acts  ii.  2  we  find  these  were  "  alV  with  one  accord 
in  one  place.    They  had  been  uniting  in  2^rayer  and  sup- 


396 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


plication  for  the  promised  blessing,  and  the  tongue  of  fire 
j  descended  alike  upon  the  men  and  the  wom^en ;  for  the 
;  text  is  emphatic, — "  It  sat  upon  each  of  them,  and  they 
^   were  all  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  began" — {not  the 
men  alone  to  speak,  and  the  women  to  keep  silence)  but 
all  began — "to  speak  with  other  tongues,  as  the  Spirit 
\  gave  them  utterance."    This  is  additionally  proved  by  St. 
i  Peter's  reference  to  that  prophecy  of  Joel. 
I      '  If  some  of  the  men  among  the  disciples  had  interfered 
l'  with  the  utterances  of  the  Spirit  through  Mary,  or  any  of 
j  the  other  women,  and  had  questioned  their  right  to  speak 
'  in  the  assembly,  asserting  that  it  was  unseemly,  and  out 
of  the  sphere  of  woman  to  proclaim  a  risen  Saviour,  in 
view  of  the  fact  that  there  were  men  mingling  in  the 
.  crowd  of  listeners.  He  who  gave  woman  her  commission 
on  the  morning  of  the  resurrection,  saying,  "Go  tell  my 
brethren,"  would  surely  have  disapproved  of  such  an 
interference. 

*  An  eminent  commentator,  in  reviewing  this  text,  "  Go 
tell  my  brethren,"  says — "  Behold  what  honour  God  puts 
on  those  who  persevere  in  truth,  and  continue  to  honour 
Him  before  men.  Thus  these  faithful  women  proclaim 
the  gospel  of  a  risen  Saviour  to  those  who  were  afterwards 
!  to  be  tlie  teachers  of  the  whole  human  race." 

'  St.  Paul,  knowing  that  women  partook  of  the  gift,  was 
anxious  that  it  should  be  exercised  with  discretion  (1  Cor. 
■  xiv.  34,  35).  It  is  plain  that  the  speaking"  here  referred 
j  ito  was  asking  questions,  which  might  better  be  answered 
i  'by  their  husbands  at  home.  The  word  "women"  here 
.  evidently  means  wives.    This  may  tend  to  harmonize  other 


MORE  SOULS  TO  WIN. 


397 


passages  in  these  epistles.  In  the  Jewish  synagogues  it  i 
was  a  common  occurrence  for  persons  to  interrupt  the  ( 
speaker  with  questions  Avhich  frequently  resulted  in  angry  i 
altercations.  This  practice,  we  have  reason  to  infer,  had  j 
been  introduced  into  the  Corinthian  Church ;  and  some  ; 
women,  doubtless  devoid  of  spirituality,  were  disposed  to  j 
take  part  in  these  debates.  This  unseemly  practice  St.  I 
Paul  reproves,  and  says,  "  Let  your  women  keep  silence  ' 
in  the  churches/' 

'  With  respect  to  prophesying  (or  preaching)  as  it  is  ; 
alluded  to  in  1  Cor.  xiv.,  you  will  find  its  nature  defined 
in  the  3d  verse.    It  was  directed  to  be  for     edification,  ' 
exhortation,  and  comfort ;"  and  St.  Paul  evidently  admits 
of  this  prophesying  of  women  in  public  assemblies,  for 
he  gives  special  directions  respecting  their  conduct  and 
appearance  while  engaged  in  this  sacred  duty, — the  man 
praying  or  prophesying  was  to  have  his  head  uncovered, 
the  woman  to  have  her  head  covered.    Again,  this  Apostle 
says,  "  I  would  that  ye  all  spake  with  tongues,  but  rather 
that  ye  prophesied."    The  word  "  all"  must  comprehend  i 
every  member,  both  men  and  women.  I 

'Another  passage,  which  is  sometimes  considered  a 
difficulty,  is  1  Tim.  ii.,  from  11th  verse  to  the  end.  But 
there  again  the  command  seems  to  apply  to  the  relations 
between  husband  and  wife. 

'If  its  meaning  were  not  to  teach  at  all,  no  woman  | 
could  teach  in  an  adult  school,  or  write  instructive  ! 
books.     Some  say,  "  It  only  means  teaching  face  to 
face     but  St.  Paul  implies  the  contrary,  by  the  directions 
he  gives  as  to  the  mode  of  prophesying.  / 


398 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


'  Priscilla  expounded  the  word  to  ApoUos,  and  it  would 
be  difficult  to  prove  that  expounding  was  not  teaching. 

'  "  Aged  women,"  says  St.  Paul,  "  should  be  teachers  of 
all  good  things." 

'  With  a  few  more  examples  from  Scripture,  some  in 
the  Old  Testament  dispensation,  when  women  were  in  a 
far  more  subject  position  than  they  are  now,  I  will  close 
this  letter. 

'  Miriam,  who  was  joined  with  Moses  and  Aaron  in 
leading  Israel  from  Egypt  to  Canaan, — I  brought  thee 
up  out  of  the  land  of  Eg^^t,  and  sent  before  thee  Moses 
and  Aaron  and  ]\Iiriam.' 

'  Deborah,  who  not  only  judged  all  Israel,  but  also  led 
their  armies  to  victory. 

'  Abigail,  who  counselled  David,  the  Lord's  prophet  and 
the  anointed  king,  and  that  in  the  hearing  of  all  his  fol- 
lowers, and  David  said,  "  Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of 
Israel  who  hath  sent  thee  this  day  to  meet  me,  and 
blessed  be  thy  advice,  and  blessed  be  thou." 

*  Huldah,  to  whom  Josiah  the  king  sent  Hilkiah  the 
priest,  and  others  for  advice  in  a  time  of  much  anxiety, 
when  they  feared  the  vTath  of  the  Lord. 

*  Psalm  Ixviii.  11,  reads  in  the  original  thus: — "  The 
Lord  gave  the  word,  great  was  the  company  of  women- 
publishers." 

'  Anna,  the  prophetess,  spoke  of  Jesus  to  all  them  that 
looked  for  redemption  in  Jerusalem. 

*  The  woman  of  Samaria  preached  Jesus  to  the  people 
of  her  city,  and  many  believed  on  Him  for  the  saying  of 
the  woman. 


MORE  SOULS  TO  WIX. 


399 


'  Trypliena  and  Trypliosa  laboured  in  the  Lord.  The 
beloved  Persis  laboured  much  in  the  Lord.  And  women 
"  whose  names  are  in  the  Book  of  Life"  laboured  with 
Paul  in  the  gospel  (Phil.  iv.  3). 

*  From  these  passages  the  scriptural  yiew  of  the  subject 
seems  so  clear  to  my  mind  that  I  have  not  a  doubt  about 
it  left, — provided  "  all  things  be  done  decently  and  in 
order."- — Your  affectionate  friend,  Wm.  Maesh.' 

TO  THE  EEV.  CHAELES  BRIDGES. 

'  Beckexh.oi,  August  9,  1859. 

'  My  dear  Bridges, — .  .  .  I  am  glad  that  a  new  edition 
of  the  Commentary  on  the  Proverhs  is  forthcoming.  You 
know  to  whom  to  ascribe  the  glory,  and  therefore  I  do  not 
mind  telling  you,  that  I  know  of  no  book  better  calculated 
to  be  useful  to  young  men  in  particular.  May  your  life  yet 
be  spared  for  continued  usefulness.  But,  as  litera  scripta 
manet,  great  is  the  mercy  that  has  employed  your  pen. 
Perhaps  St.  Paul,  though  careful  of  the  "parchments," 
little  thought  that  his  letter  to  Philemon  would  be  read 
nearly  two  thousand  years  afterwards,  and  especiallv  on 
that  island  of  pagans,  which  probably  he  ^dsited  only 
for  a  very  short  time.  Colquhoun's  Life  in  Olden  Times 
represents  Florence  as  the  great  and  flourishing  city ; 
London  not  worth  looking  at.  There  were  no  Barinos  or 
Eothschilds  to  enrich  it  in  those  days  ;  nor  Bibles  to 
bless  it. — Yours  ever  affectionately, 

'  \Vm.  Marsh.' 


400 


MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIxVM  MARSH,  D.D. 


'Beckenham,  Nov.  2,  1859. 

'  .  .  .  Prayer-meetings  are  lield  in  London  for  a  shower 
of  Living  Water  to  descend  there  :  we  have  them  here 
also,  that  there  may  be  a  general  outpouring.  God  honours 
united,  fervent,  persevering  prayer.  It  may  be  that  He  is 
"  accomplishing  the  number  of  His  elect,  and  hastening 
His  kingdom."  ...  I  am  in  wonderful  health,  considering 
my  age.  Let  us  look  upward  continually  for  all  the  grace 
we  need ;  and  forward  to  the  rest  which  will  never  be  dis- 
turbed in  the  land  of  light  and  love.' 

On  the  5th  of  August,  he  baptized  his  first  great-grand- 
daughter, Mary  Evelyn  Anstruther,  in  Beckenham  Church. 
As  usual,  friends  flocked  from  far  and  near  to  hear  him  read 
a  service  of  the  Church  in  public,  as  well  as  to  listen  to 
his  heaven-tauglit  thoughts,  with  regard  to  it,  in  private. 
So  correct  was  his  taste  in  reading,  and  so  earnest  his 
spirit,  that  a  friend  who  was  no  mean  judge,  who  was 
present  on  more  than  one  of  these  occasions,  remarked, 
'  It  is  a  rare  enjoyment  to  hear  a  service  thus  read.  Dr. 
Marsh  has  a  soul  in  tune  with  our  stately  Liturgy,  and  the 
simplicity  and  fervour  of  his  devotion  could  never  offend 
the  most  critical  taste.' 

Towards  the  end  of  August  he  spent  some  weeks  at 
Broadstairs ;  and  whilst  there,  preached  occasionally  for 
the  incumbent,  the  Eev.  Frederick  Newell,  who  was  the 
son  of  one  of  his  friends  and  churchwardens  at  Colchester, 
and  who  had  himself,  as  a  boy,  been  instructed  by  my 
father  in  his  catechetical  lectures  for  the  children  of  the 
upper  classes  in  that  town. 


MORE  SOULS  TO  WIN. 


401 


XoNv,  as  always,  he  doubled  his  pleasures  by  sharing 
them,  and  so  assembled  around  him  not  only  his  children, 
grandchildren,  and  great-grandchildren,  but  also  some  of 
those  cadets  from  Addiscombe  who  were  prevented  by 
distance  from  going  to  their  parents  for  a  summer  holiday. 
To  ^rather  the  vouns^  around  him,  to  throw  himself  into 
their  interests,  and  to  plan  for  their  pleasures,  was  as 
natural  to  him,  as  it  was  to  sympathize  with  their  trials 
and  difficulties,  and  to  persuade  them  to  seek  ever  closer 
and  closer  union  with  their  God  and  Saviour. 

Whilst  he  was  in  this  neighbourhood  he  met  again 
^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Warre  of  Westcliff,  who  had  been  dear  and 
early  friends  of  his  late  wife.  Lady  Louisa  Marsh,  and 
whom  they  had  visited  together  in  the  spring  of  1840. 
The  renewal  of  this  friendship  was  a  source  of  much 
pleasure  both  to  himself  and  his  family,  who  were 
welcomed  with  him  to  that  lovely  sea-side  home  with 
unbounded  kindness  and  hospitality.  Here  also  he  met 
Archdeacon  Davis,  whom  he  had  known  and  valued  for 
years,  and  found  refreshment  in  attending  his  ministry  at 
Eamsgate. 

TO  HIS  YOUXGEST  DAUGHTER. 

'  Beckexha^i  Rectory,  Xov.  17,  1859. 
'  Dear  Darling, — You  cannot  think  how  well  imagina- 
tion has  behaved  since  I  gave  it  a  stern  reproof  for  its 
pictures  of  danger.  Xow  it  tells  me  of  the  kind  American 
Consul ;  the  good  Captain  of  the  vessel ;  the  ease  and 
safety  of  getting  on  board ;  the  considerate  conduct  of  the 

2  C 


402 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


authorities  ;  the  silence  of  the  audience ;  the  tears  trick- 
ling down  some  cheeks ;  the  resolution  formed  in  many 
hearts  to  think  of  and  seek  a  Saviour. 

'  Just  as  imagination  told  me  the  above,  I  perceived  a 
little  hoarseness  at  the  end  of  the  tale ;  speaking  in  the 
open  air  at  this  season  is  trying  to  throats,  so  the  sailors 
must  be  invited  under  some  roof. 

'  Mrs.  Eio  and  darlingr  Matilda  are  visiting  the  sick.  I 
am  trying  to  preserve  my  wits,  as  I  am  asked  to  write 
prefaces  to  three  different  works  at  one  time.  In  one  of 
them  I  intend  to  justify  women  in  doing  all  they  can  to 
save  souls.  Oh,  what  a  blessed  work  it  is !  But  all 
the  blessing  in  it  cannot  be  known  till  "  the  Day  shall 
declare  it." 

*  My  heart  is  just  beginning  to  dance  on  learning  that 
darling  Lucy  is  a  little  better. 

'  I  thank  God  for  the  report  respecting  our  dear  Charlie. 
He  is  a  pleasant,  affectionate  youth.  May  the  Lord  stablish, 
strengthen,  settle  him.  Our  beloved  Louisa's  children  have 
been  greatly  blessed,  and  not  a  little  by  your  motherly 
love  to  them.  ...  I  pray  your  present  efforts  may  be  a 
blessing.  You  will  raise  the  serpent  on  the  pole.  The 
sick  will  look  and  be  healed.  One  look  at  the  Cross, 
said  Dr.  Buchanan,  is  sufficient.  But  then  he  was  dying. 
We  who  are  living  must  be  looking  every  day. 

'  We  serve  the  best  of  masters.  As  sinners,  He  receives 
us  graciously ;  as  servants,  He  rewards  us  generously ;  as 
friends,  He  will  make  us  partakers  of  His  joys.  .  .  . 

*  My  love  to  dear  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Warre,  with  hearty  thanks 
for  all  their  kind  care  of  my  property. — Ever  thy  most 
loving  father,  W.  Marsh.' 


MORE  SOULS  TO  WIX. 


403 


The  following  brief  remembrances  of  some  of  my  father's 
conversations  are  taken  from  notes  written  down  at  the 
time  by  his  eldest  daughter,  during  her  visit  to  him  at 
Easter,  1860  : — 

'  On  Easter  eve,  after  speaking  of  the  marvellous 
change  from  the  Cross  to  Paradise,  he  said,  "  What  a  day 
this  must  have  been  for  the  penitent  thief!  .  .  .  When 
^Ir.  Simeon  was  preaching  on  his  prayer,  he  suddenly  ex- 
claimed, '  Heaven  for  asking  for  !  Heaven  for  asking  for  !'  " 

'  On  Easter  Day  he  spoke  of  the  Saviour's  tenderness  in 
mentioning  Peter  by  name,  to  reassure  him  of  His  love ; 
"  Go,  tell  my  disciples,  and  Peter''  (and  the  tears  came  to 
his  eyes  while  thinking  of  the  love  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  the 
"  overflowing  of  love,"  as  he  expressed  it).  "  How  he  loved 
this  earth,  delaying  his  ascension  forty  days  after  His 
resurrection,  and  appearing  frequently  to  His  disciples." 

'  In  talking  with  liis  medical  adviser,  Mr.  Williams,  on 
Heb.  xi.,  he  described  the  true  translation  of  ver.  1  to  be, 
"  Now  faith  is  the  certain  expectation  of  things  hoped  for." 
Mr.  Williams  quoted  Luther's  translation  as  being  "  the 
sure  and  certain  confidence."  "  We  all  like  to  be  trusted," 
my  father  rejoined,  and  so  (pointing  upwards)  "  HE  loves 
to  be  trusted." 

*  At  another  time  he  spoke  of  the  Epistles  to  the  Eomans 
and  the  Hebrews  ;  "  What  wonderful  epistles  !  The  one 
exhibiting  Christian  doctrine,  the  other  showing  Chris- 
tianity as  the  substance  of  the  Levitical  dispensation  of 
shadows  ;"  adding,  "What  a  wonderful  book  the  Bible  is  ! 
what  a  variety  is  contained  in  it !  History,  prophecy, 
biography,  poetry,  doctrines,  precepts,  promises !"  Alluding 


404 


MEMOIR  OF  EEY.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


to  Burke's  habit  of  reading  a  chapter  in  Isaiah  before  going 
to  speak  in  the  House  of  Commons,  and  to  the  Speaker's 
comment  on  his  remarkable  speech  at  AVarren  Hastings' 
trial,  recommending  the  House  to  adjourn  that  it  might  dis- 
tinguish between  the  blaze  of  eloquence  and  the  light  of 
truth,  he  remarked,  that  "  Isaiah  possessed  both  the  blaze 
of  eloquence  and  the  light  of  truth." 

'  He  afterwards  related  one  or  two  anecdotes  of  the  Eev. 
Charles  Simeon.  He  was  told,  that  before  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  his  fellowship  he  must  receive  the  sacrament. 
He  felt  he  was  unfit,  and  asked  some  one  to  lend  him  a 
book  on  the  subject.  Bishop  Wilson's  was  lent  to  him,  in 
which  the  type  of  the  scape- goat  is  dwelt  upon.  He 
received  the  truth  of  the  transfer  of  sin,  and  never  after- 
wards lost  it. 

'  He  next  told  us  Mr.  Simeon's  mode  of  describing  a 
Christian's  death.  "  Wlio  are  you  ?"  (looking  back) — 
"Sorrow."  "And  who  are  you?" — "Sighing."  Then 
stretching  his  hands  upwards — "  And  who  are  you  ?" — 
"  Joy."  "  And  who  are  you  ?"— "  Gladness."  "  Then  fare- 
well Sorrow,  fareweU  Sighing  !  Joy  and  Gladness,  I  will 
go  with  you  ! " 

*  The  same  evening  he  spoke  on  "  the  comprehensive- 
ness of  the  testimony  of  John  the  Baptist  to  our  Saviour. 
\st,  He  is  *  the  Lamb  of  God  that  taketh  away  the  sin  of 
the  world.'  Hence  guilt  and  condemnation  are  removed. 
2d,  He  '  baptizeth  with  the  Holy  Ghost,'  hence  the  power 
of  Satan  and  the  dominion  of  sin  are  destroyed.  Zd,  He 
is  'the  Son  of  God,'  and  therefore  is  qualified  to  accom- 
phsh  this  great  work ;  and  finally,  He  will  be  the  Judge, 


MORE  SOULS  TO  WIX. 


405 


represented  by  gathering  the  wheat  into  the  garner,  and 
besto\\^ng  rewards  of  grace  on  His  disciples  ;  but  punishing 
His  impenitent  foes,  as  it  is  -^Titten,  'burning  up  the  chaff;' 
hence,  in  every  sense,  '  He  must  increase' — Christ  must  be 
everything.  '  Therefore,  let  no  man  glory  in  men  ;  Christ 
must  be  all  in  all.'  The  Father  says  of  Him,  '  This  is 
my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased.'  Happy  is 
the  soul  that  can  say,  '  This  is  my  beloved  Saviour,  in 
whom  my  soul  is  well  pleased.' " 

The  followiufT  letter  shows  that  his  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  the  town  of  Bridgnorth  continued  unabated, 
after  many  years  of  absence  : — 

TO  THE  EEV.  J.  BEXTLEY,  SHOETLY  AFTER  HIS  APPOIXTMEXT 

TO  ST.  Mary's,  bridgxorth. 

'  Beckenham  Rectory,  May  2,  1860. 

'  Rev.  axd  dear  Sir, — From  my  long  connexion  with 
Bridgnorth,  you  will  not  require  an  apology  for  my  writing 
you  a  line,  though  a  stranger. 

'  I  am  very  thankful  for  your  appointment,  and  pray 
that  your  faithful  labours  may  win  many  sinners  to  tlie 
Saviour,  and  lead  believers  to  adorn  His  doctrine.  I  am 
sure  that  there  are  many  there  who  will  welcome  your 
message.  It  greatly  cheers  the  heart  of  my  dear  son-in- 
law  to  find  that  he  is  succeeded  by  such  a  faithful  pastor. 

'  Your  office  is  the  most  honourable  and  the  most  useful 
upon  the  face  of  the  earth.  It  was  but  the  other  morn- 
ing that  I  was  reading  Barnes'  Commentary  on  2  Cor., 


406  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

chapters  ii.,  iii.  They  give  a  glorious  view  of  the  design 
of  the  Christian  ministry,  and  its  blessed  results,  as 
accompanied  by  the  Divine  blessing.  And  when  the 
minister  is  a  man  of  prayer,  as  well  as  a  preacher,  that 
blessing  is  not  withheld. 

'  I  have  been  long  an  upstairs-prisoner ;  but  I  find  a 
sick-room  a  good  library.  I  have  read  much  of  Barnes. 
I  understood  that  his  work  was  intended  chiefly  for 
teachers  of  Sunday-schools,  but  it  is  admirably  adapted  to 
the  ministers  of  the  Word.  I  am  astonished  at  the  extent 
of  his  research,  and  pleased  with  the  independence  of  his 
own  mind.  On  church  government  we  shall  differ  from 
him,  as  lie  is  not  an  Episcopalian,  but  on  subjects  essential 
for  "  edification,  exhortation,  and  comfort,"  we  shall  agree 
with  him. 

'  Dear  Sir,  it  is  a  great  privilege  to  escape  superstition 
and  rationalism  in  the  present  age,  when  the  enemy 
appears  to  be  making  a  desperate,  because,  perhaps,  a  last 
struggle.  But  ministers  and  people  who  keep  close  to 
the  Throne  of  Grace  and  the  Word  of  Grace  are  both  safe 
and  useful. 

'  Light,  love,  and  usefulness  attend  yourself  and  Mrs. 
Bentley  for  many  many  years.  And  may  your  people 
know  the  time  of  their  visitation. — Yours,  dear  sir,  very 
faithfully,  Wm.  Marsh.' 


Towards  the  end  of  the  month  of  May,  just  five  years 
from  the  time  of  his  first  visit  to  Beckenham  Eectory  in 


MORE  SOULS  TO  WIX. 


407 


joyous  health  and  spirits,  Arthur  Vandeleur  came  for  his 
last  farewell. 

Although  he  was  within  a  few  days  of  his  death,  his 
brave  spirit  bore  him  up  above  the  infirmities  of  consump- 
tion, and  he  joined  the  family  circle  at  meals,  ready  as 
ever  for  cheerful  conversation.  AATiilst  his  soul  was  at- 
tuned to  the  highest  solemnities,  the  bright  sunshine  of 
his  spirit  was  as  sparkling,  and  the  music  of  his  pleasant 
laugh  almost  as  clear  as  ever. 

He  liked  to  have  his  chair  placed  every  evening  where 
he  could  best  see  my  father's  face.  Earlier,  he  had  written 
of  him, — '  How  much  of  the  Master's  likeness  do  we  see 
in  your  most  beautiful  and  venerable  father  ?  The  atmo- 
sphere of  love  and  peace  which  seems  ever  around  him  is 
indeed  a  breath  of  Heaven's  own  air.'  And  still  the  sight 
of  that  countenance  seemed  to  carry  joy  to  his  heart, 
althouo-h  deafness  on  one  side,  and  a  failing  voice  on  the 
other,  prevented  much  communication.  '  I  cannot  make 
my  voice  heard  through  his  trumpet  now,'  he  said,  rather 
sadly  ;  then  brightening  up  suddenly,  he  added,  '  but  we 
shall  have  plenty  of  time  for  talking  together  when  we 
meet  in  the  everlasting  Home.' 

On  the  day  when  he  and  his  beloved  wife,  who  was 
nursing  him  with  a  devotion  beyond  her  strength,  left  the 
rectory,  he  said,  '  I  should  like  to  go  to  heaven  straight 
from  this  dear  home.  I  mean  to  go  to  Woolwich  to-day 
to  see  my  little  children,  and  then  Mary  and  I  will  come 
again  in  a  few  days,  and  stay  to  the  end.' 

That  wish,  however,  doubtless  for  wise  reasons,  was  not 
granted ;  probably,  to  give  him  the  opportunity  of  bearing 


408  MEMOIR  OF  KEY.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

his  last  witness  for  his  Saviour  to  his  friends  and  brother 
officers  at  Woolwich. 

My  father  keenly  felt  that  parting.  '  He  will  never 
come  back/  he  said.  *  The  hand  of  death  is  npon  him. 
Yet  there  is  no  death  for  Mm,  as  he  himself  said,  blessed 
soul !  for  his  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God.' 


CHAPTEE  XIY. 


SUXSET  LIGHT. 

'  Of  life's  past  toils  the  fading  trace 
Hath  given  the  aged  patriarch's  face 
Expression  holy,  deep,  resigned, 
The  calm  sublimity  of  mind. 

 Yet  his  mien 

Is  bright  with  majesty  serene  ; 

And  those  high  hopes,  whose  guiding  star 

Shines  from  eternal  worlds  afar, 

Have  with  that  light  illumed  his  eye 

Whose  foimt  is  immortality  ; 

And  o'er  his  features  poured  a  ray 

Of  glory,  not  to  pass  away.' 

Hema>'S, 


SUNSET  LIGHT. 


Some  weeks  before  this  time,  a  subject  of  serious  con- 
sideration had  been  brought  before  him,  in  the  offer  of  the 
living  of  Beddington,  a  village  in  Surrey,  within  an  easy 
drive  of  Beckenham. 

Although  still  working  ably  in  the  service  so  dear  to 
his  heart,  he  had  felt  the  comfort  of  having  no  respon- 
sible charge  of  his  own,  and  he  dreaded  anything  which 
would  break  up  the  happy  home-circle  at  Beckenham 
Eectory.  Twice,  therefore,  he  declined  the  offer ;  but 
when  an  influential  resident  in  Beddington  came  more 
than  once  to  urge  his  acceptance  of  it,  pressing  him  to  con- 
sider the  blessing  that  his  presence  and  prayers  would  be 
in  the  parish,  combined  with  the  value  of  his  well-known 
principles,  and  the  power  he  would  have  to  choose  curates 
who  would  carry  out  all  his  wishes  and  plans  in  pastoral 
work,  he  felt  it  right  to  reconsider  the  matter,  asking  counsel 
of  his  God  concerning  it.  He  also  consulted  some  of  his 
friends,  upon  whose  Christian  judgment  he  could  best  rely. 
Tlie  late  revered  and  beloved  Archbishop  of  Canterbury, 
the  Bishop  of  Winchester,  in  whose  diocese  Beddington  is 


412 


AIEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


situated,  the  Eev.  Charles  Goodhart,  and  others  not  less 
valued,  all  alike  concurred  in  telling  him  that,  in  their 
opinion,  he  would  close  a  door  of  usefulness  Avhich  the 
providence  of  God  had  opened  to  him,  if  he  did  not  accept 
this  charge.  He  was  not  a  man  to  shrink  from  responsi- 
bility when  once  he  could  trace  the  Divine  hand  beckoning 
him  to  undertake  it,  and  believing  that  his  earnest  prayers 
for  guidance  had  been  answered,  he  at  length  decided  to 
yield  to  the  request.  Two  other  circumstances,  which  he 
looked  upon  as  leading  tokens,  helped  his  decision.  One 
was  a  visit  from  Mr.  Hamilton,  the  venerable  father  of  the 
late  rector,  who  said  that  it  would  give  him  the  greatest 
consolation  to  know  that  Dr.  Marsh  had  consented  to  be 
the  successor  of  his  beloved  and  only  son  ;  whilst  another 
and  yet  stronger  call  to  him  was  that  several  poor  people 
in  the  parish  had  united  to  plead  in  prayer  that  he  might 
be  made  willing  to  become  their  pastor. 

From  the  time  he  became  rector  of  Beddington  he 
determined  to  employ  the  whole  of  the  income  derived 
from  the  living  in  stipends  to  curates,  in  parochial  and 
other  charities,  and  the  necessary  additional  expenses 
of  a  separate  household,  so  as  not  to  leave  any  surplus 
for  his  family  or  for  his  own  gratification.  The  only 
indulgence  he  allowed  himself  was  in  doubling  his  sub- 
scriptions to  several  benevolent  and  Christian  institu- 
tions, and  in  other  ways  giving  even  more  largely  than 
before  towards  the  furtherance  of  the  work  of  the  Lord 
and  the  relief  of  distress.  So  heartily  did  he  carry  out  the 
Divine  command,  '  Lay  not  up  for  yourselves  treasure  on 
earth,  but  lay  up  for  yourselves  treasure  in  heaven,'  that. 


SUNSET  LIGHT. 


413 


knowing  there  was  a  sufficient  provision  for  his  children 
secured  by  trust- property  and  by  his  own  insurances,  he 
expended,  almost  every  year,  a  considerable  amount  of 
capital,  including  legacies,  in  the  service  of  his  heavenly 
Master,  and  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor.  He  felt  it  to  be 
so  important  a  duty  for  every  Christian  to  provide  for  his 
family,  according  to  his  means,  without  being  tempted  to 
hoard,  that  he  wrote  several  letters  in  the  newspapers  on 
the  subject  of  insurance,  and  advised  the  married  clergy 
to  adopt  the  plan,  even  if  they  could  only  afford  to  insure 
for  £100. 

In  his  strong  view  of  the  error  of  accumulating  money, 
he  would  say,  '  I  have  read  a  melancholy  thing  in  the 
paper  to-day, — a  man  died  possessed  of  £100,000  !' 

In  connexion  with  this  subject,  he  remarked  to  the 
Eev.  Henry  O'Korke,  one  of  his  curates  at  Beddington, 
'  I  wish  I  could  write  all  across  the  sky,  in  letters  of  gold, 
the  one  word  "  Saviugs-bank." ' 

On  the  day  of  his  induction  to  the  living,  he  was  ac- 
companied by  his  three  daughters,  a  grand-daughter,  and 
two  young  friends,  to  Beddington  Church.  He  was  met 
by  the  Rev.  George  Hodgson,  rural  dean,  and  vicar  of 
Croydon.  It  was  a  bright  afternoon  in  J uly,  and  the  sun- 
shine lighting  up  the  old  grey  tower  of  the  church,  and 
streaming  through  the  stately  trees  of  the  park,  at  the 
entrance  of  wliich  it  stands,  lent  an  additional  charm  to 
the  beauty  of  the  peaceful  scene.  The  loving-kindness  of 
the  Heavenly  Master  had  reserved  this  *  calm  retreat '  to 
be  the  la^-t  field  of  labour  where  His  aged  and  faithful 


414  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

servant  should  expend  the  remainder  of  his  strength,  in 
the  work  he  loved  so  well  of  gathering  more  sheaves  for 
the  Lord  of  the  harvest. 

After  the  usual  ceremony  was  over,  he  returned  from 
the  church  to  the  rectory  ;  and,  on  entering  the  library,  he 
prayed  with  us  all  that  peace  might  be  given  to  those  who 
were  leaving  that  home,  and  to  those  who  were  about  to 
enter  it,  and  for  great  blessing  on  the  parish. 

He  deeply  sympathized  with  Mrs.  Hamilton,  and  was 
tenderly  anxious  in  every  way  to  consult  her  feelings,  and 
to  soothe,  as  far  as  possible,  the  severe  trial  of  leaving  a 
home  associated  with  the  whole  of  her  happy  married 
life,  whilst  she,  on  her  part,  putting  aside  her  own  sorrow, 
with  thoughtful  care  arranged  for  his  comfort  on  coming 
into  the  house. 

The  following  day,  he  addressed  about  three  hundred 
persons  in  the  schoolroom  at  Beckenham,  on  the  subject 
of  '  Soul  Prosperity,'  from  the  words,  *  Beloved,  I  wish 
above  all  things  tliat  thou  mayest  prosper  and  be  in  health, 
even  as  thy  soul  prospereth.'  It  was  the  last  time  that 
he  spoke  in  that  room  ;  and  the  people  listened  to  his 
parting  words  with  even  more  than  their  usual  reverent 
love.  Their  grief  at  his  leaving  Beckenham  was  great ; 
but  those  who  could  walk  so  far,  found  a  solace  in  going 
over,  from  time  to  time,  to  hear  him  preach,  and  the 
members  of  his  Saturday-evening  meeting  were  never  for- 
gotten amongst  the  numerous  guests  invited  to  be  present 
at  his  birthday  parties  and  other  social  gatherings. 

On  the  4th  of  August,  1860,  he  entered  the  last  earthly 
home  which  was  to  be  gladdened  by  his  presence. 


SUNSET  LIGHT. 


415 


His  beloved  friend,  the  Ducliess  of  Gordon,  had  ex- 
pressed a  wish  to  hear  his  first  sermon  in  Beddington 
Church.  She  came  accordingly,  to  be  the  earliest  visitor 
welcomed  at  the  rectory ;  and  her  faithful  spirit  rejoiced 
in  the  hope  that  a  rich  blessing  would  be  brought  to  the 
parish  and  neighbourhood  by  his  coming  there.  It  was 
the  last  time  that  they  met  on  earth  ;  and  that  meeting 
was  a  foretaste  of  the  communion  of  saints  in  hea^'en. 
Many  were  their  '  warm  and  joyful  thoughts  of  the  city  not 
made  with  hands/  in  which  their  dwelling  was  soon  to  be, 
amidst  '  the  general  assembly  and  church  of  the  first-born 
and  the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect.'  Above  all, 
they  communed  with  delight  of  Him 

'  Whom  to  serve  and  whom  to  know 
Makes  the  joy  of  saints  below ; 
Whom  to  see,  and  whom  to  love, 
Makes  the  bliss  of  saints  above.' 

He  preached  his  first  sermon  from  Eev.  xxi.  25,  *  There 
shall  be  no  night  there.'  Before  closing  it,  he  alluded 
with  tender  sympathy  to  the  sorrow  of  the  parishioners  in 
the  loss  of  their  devoted  pastor ;  leading  them  on  to 
thoughts  of  the  world  where,  as  he  said,  '  there  shall  be 
no  night  of  ignorance,  no  night  of  sin,  no  night  of  sorrow, 
and  no  night  of  death.' 

On  Sunday,  the  1 9th  of  August,  he  '  read  himself  in.' 
In  the  morning,  he  went  through  the  usual  service,  and 
twenty  of  the  Thirty-nine  Articles,  and  in  the  afternoon, 
the  service  and  the  remaining  Articles.  There  was  no 
flagging  of  his  energy  in  any  part ;  but  when  the  last 


41  G  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

sentence  was  concluded,  we  expected  that  he  would  be 
somewhat  exhausted.  However,  to  the  surprise  of  every 
one,  his  voice  was  raised  up  with  renewed  power  to 
address  the  congregation  on  the  scriptural  character  of 
both  the  Articles  and  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land. He  showed  how  closely  they  were  allied  to  the 
very  language  of  the  inspired  Word  ;  and  ended  this  short 
extempore  sermon  with  an  earnest  appeal  to  every  one 
present  to  uphold,  by  the  united  testimony  of  life  and  lip, 
those  blessed  scriptural  principles  which  had  been  over- 
laid by  the  errors  of  the  Middle  Ages,  but  brought  to  light 
again  at  the  Eeformation. 

Adjoining  the  rectory  grounds  are  excellent  school- 
rooms which  had  been  built  by  Mr.  Hamilton,  with  the 
aid  of  his  parishioners  and  friends.  At  the  head  of  the 
boys'  school  my  father  found  an  admirable  master,  who 
had  been  established  there  for  many  years,  and  who  was 
particularly  happy  in  gaining  the  respect  and  affection  of 
the  village  lads.  Mr.  Price  and  his  wife  were  much 
valued  by  my  father,  and  he  took  a  constant  interest  in 
their  work  in  the  schools. 

The  courtesy  and  kindness  of  his  reception  by  the  par- 
ishioners was  very  pleasant  to  him.  Foremost  to  welcome 
him  was  Mr.  Laurence,  who  had  urged  his  acceptance  of 
the  charge  ;  he,  with  his  wife  and  family,  became  not  only 
valued  helpers  in  parochial  work  and  in  the  schools,  but 
were  also  delighted  to  minister  to  his  happiness,  with  the 
never-tiring  consideration  of  love,  until  the  closing  hours 
of  his  life. 

It  was  a  great  addition  to  his  enjoyment,  in  the  newly- 


SrXSET  LIGHT. 


417 


made  friendsliips  at  Beddington,  to  find  himself  in  tlie 
neighbourhood  of  some  of  the  near  relatives  of  his 
esteemed  old  friend  '  John  Joseph  Gurney/  and  several 
of  the  descendants  of  Elizabeth  Fry. 

With  ^Ir.  Samuel  Gurney,  M.P.  for  Falmouth,  and  his 
wife,  he  had  a  warm  friendship,  and  through  their 
thoughtful  kindness  he  received  many  little  pleasures. 
Often  his  library  table  would  be  adorned  by  them  with  a 
rare  plant,  a  foreign  fern,  or  a  delicate  water  lily.  Then, 
again,  his  mind  would  be  interested  by  some  memoir  of 
one  of  the  nimierous  philanthropists  belonging  to  the 
Society  of  Friends,  or  his  taste  gratified  by  the  loan  of  a 
portfoHo  of  choice  engravings.  But  beyond  all  these 
kindnesses  to  himself,  fully  as  they  were  appreciated,  was 
his  heart  rejoiced  by  the  frequent  sight,  during  the  sum- 
mer months,  of  bright  faces  of  little  children  from  ragged, 
orphan,  and  other  schools,  many  of  them  brought  from 
dark  alleys  and  courts  in  the  heart  of  London,  to  play  in 
the  hay- fields,  and  to  row  on  the  little  river  in  the  gaily 
painted  barge,  amongst  flocks  of  beautiful  waterfowl,  and 
to  spend  a  holiday  in  the  park  and  gardens,  which  must 
have  seemed  to  them  like  fairyland.  But  perhaps  the 
happiest  gathering  of  all  was  that  of  the  poor  women 
belonging  to  ^liss  Barlee's  admirable  institution  for  the 
emplo3mient  of  needlewomen.  Many  of  those  careworn 
faces,  bearing  the  marks  of  their  hard  struggle  to  sustain 
an  often  suffering  life,  grew  bright  as  they  listened  to  the 
gospel  stor}^  At  the  close  of  the  day,  some  Christian 
friend  would,  at  Mr.  Gurney's  request,  speak  to  them  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  and  His  free  salvation,  in  the  hope  that 

2  D 


418  MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

those  burdened  hearts  might  carry  to  their  dreary  homes 
not  merely  the  remembrance  of  lovely  country  scenes,  but 
the  assurance  that  for  them  was  prepared  '  a  better  coun- 
try, that  is,  an  heavenly,'  where  '  they  shall  hunger  no  more, 
neither  thirst  any  more ;  neither  shall  the  sun  light  on  them, 
nor  any  heat :  for  the  Lamb  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the 
throne  shall  feed  them,  and  shall  lead  them  unto  living 
fountains  of  waters,  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears 
from  their  eyes.' 

The  eldest  son  of  the  late  honoured  Mrs.  Fry — that 
noble  and  tender  friend  of  the  suffering  and  op23ressed — 
was  amongst  those  who  warmly  welcomed  the  new  rector ; 
and,  with  his  excellent  wife  and  daughters,  he  shortly 
afterwards  began  a  devoted  work  for  the  Lord  in  that  part 
of  the  parish  where  he  resided. 

Another  source  of  enjoyment  which  my  father  found 
in  the  neighbourhood,  was  in  more  frequent  inter- 
course with  his  beloved  young  friends,  Mr.  Blackwood 
and  Sydney  Duchess  of  Manchester.  From  the  time  of 
Mr.  Blackwood's  first  visit  to  Beckenham,  early  in  the 
summer  of  1856,  my  father  had  watched,  with  thankful 
interest,  the  steadfast  devotedness  of  his  walk  with  God. 
He  always  endeavoured  to  secure  him,  with  other  excellent 
laymen,  to  share  with  his  clerical  friends  in  addressing  the 
assemblies  on  the  lawn ;  for  he  was  one  of  those  large- 
hearted  clergy  of  our  Church  who  gladly  give  the  right 
hand  of  fellowship  to  all  who  '  shine  as  lights  in  the  world, 
holding  forth  the  Word  of  Life,'  not  only  because  they 
labour  in  the  service  of  a  Master  who  said  of  one  who  was 
working  miracles  in  His  name  without  an  official  commis- 


SUNSET  LIGHT. 


410 


sion,  '  Forbid  him  not ;  he  that  is  not  against  ns  is  for  us  ;' 
but  also  because  he  clearly  saw  the  scriptural  authority  for 
lay-preaching,  in  the  inspired  history  of  the  early  diffusion 
of  the  Gospel,  when  its  glorious  message  of  life  and  peace 
was  carried  to  many  and  distant  lands  by  the  agency  of  the 
laity,  as  recorded  in  Acts  xi.  19,  20  ;  and  in  the  notices  of 
Apollos,  Aquila,  Priscilla,  and  others.  And  he  also  felt 
strongly  about  the  personal  loss  which  must  be  sustained, 
of  a  large  and  loving  Christian  brotherhood,  by  those  who 
withhold  their  countenance  from  evangelistic  w^ork. 

Sedulous  efforts,  he  knew,  were  frequently  made  to 
detach  some  of  the  best  and  most  zealous  laymen  from 
the  communion  of  the  Church  of  England  ;  and  he  deeply 
deprecated  the  injury  to  her  should  this  be  effected  through 
a  want  of  sympathy  and  sanction  on  the  part  of  her  clergy. 

But  beyond  all,  lie  marked  how  the  Divine  blessing 
rested,  in  a  tenfold  degree,  upon  parishes  where  the 
incumbents  welcomed  '  workmen '  manifestly  '  approved 
unto  God,'  giving  them  hearty  encouragement  in  their 
labours,  combined  with  the  benefit  of  their  own  longer 
experience  and  deeper  theological  study. 

Two  young  clergymen  were  offered  a  share  in  the  work 
of  Beddington.  One,  the  Eev.  Henry  Willes  Southey 
had,  a  few  years  earlier,  spent  much  time  at  Beckenhan 
Rectory,  before  his  ordination,  where^  while  preparing  foi 
his  future  office,  by  laying  up  wisdom  and  experience 
under  Mr.  Chalmers's  counsel  and  direction,  his  single- 
hearted  and  earnest  piety  had  won  my  father's  warm 
regard.  The  other,  the  Eev.  Henry  O'Eorke,  by  a  chain 
of  coincidences,,  had  been  ordained  to  a  curacy  at  Burton- 


420 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


on-Trent,  where  lie  had  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  inti- 
mate acquaintance  with  my  father's  old  friend,  the  Eev. 
Peter  French ;  had  next  assisted  the  excellent  Vicar 
of  Basildon,  during  the  last  months  of  his  life,  in  his 
pulpit  and  parochial  duties,  and  had  gone  from  thence  to 
the  Eev.  David  Stewart  of  Maidstone,  just  half  a  century 
from  the  time  when  his  honoured  father,  Mr.  Haldane 
Stewart,  had  come  to  work  with  my  father  at  Basildon. 
The  incumbent  of  Maidstone  had  written  to  him  that 
Mr.  O'Eorke  wished  for  duty  in  the  country,  and  that  he 
could  not  send  him  a  greater  comfort,  or  spare  Bedding- 
ton  a  greater  boon. 

My  father  found  the  parish  in  excellent  order.  Cloth- 
ing and  coal  clubs,  the  dispensary,  and  district  visiting 
societies,  with  Sunday  and  day  schools,  had  been  estab- 
lished, and  each  had  a  share  in  his  attention  and  interest. 
He  attended  with  pastoral  care  to  the  accounts  of  the  state 
of  the  poor  given  by  the  ladies  who  visited  districts  in  the 
parish,  at  the  monthly  meeting  of  the  society  at  the  rectory  ; 
and  he  always  concluded  it  with  an  earnest  and  affec- 
tionate address,  and  a  prayer.  Each  Saturday  afternoon 
some  time  was  devoted  to  the  study  of  the  Bible  with  his 
curates  ;  and  a  Saturday  evening  meeting  was  established 
in  the  rectory,  like  that  which  had  strengthened  the  bonds 
of  union  between  the  earnest  Christians  in  Beckenham. 

After  the  autumn  '  treat'  to  the  school-children,  my 
f[ither,  who  was  anxious  to  make  acquaintance  with  all 
his  parishioners,  resolved  to  have  a  somewhat  similar 
gathering  of  the  working  men  and  lads  in  the  parish,  of 
whom  there  were  a  considerable  number, — many  being 
employed  at  a  tannery,  and  at  leather,  snuff  and  paper. 


SUNSET  LIGHT. 


421 


mills.  Upwards  of  four  hundred  of  these  men  and  boys 
were  accordingly  invited  to  a  tea-party.  For  this  pur- 
pose the  use  of  the  large  hall  of  the  old  deserted  house  in 
Beddington  Park-^  was  obtained,  by  the  kind  mediation 
of  ^Ir.  Gurney.  This  hall,  in  which  Queen  Elizabeth  was 
wont  to  hold  her  banquets,  was  lent  every  succeeding  year 
for  the  same  purpose,  by  the  courtesy  of  the  absent  owner 
of  the  place. 

Several  of  the  ladies  of  the  parish  gave  their  assistance 
in  adorning  the  room,  and  Mrs.  Laurence  kindly  lighted 
it  with  coloured  lamps.  Tea  was  provided  in  the  hall  for 
the  working  men ;  and  in  an  adjoining  room  for  other 
parishioners,  with  friends  from  the  neighbourhood  and 
from  London.  After  tea  was  ended,  my  father  addressed 
them.  They  could  scarcely  restrain  their  enthusiasm  as 
they  saw  his  spirit  and  energy,  and  listened  to  his  heart- 
stirring  words  ; — and  shouts  of  grateful  approbation  burst 
forth  when  he  promised,  if  life  should  be  spared,  to  give  a 
similar  tea-party,  in  the  course  of  the  following  summer, 
for  their  wives  and  daughters. 

A  Eussian  princess,  who  had  requested  to  be  present 
on  the  occasion,  was  charmed  with  the  scene,  but  most 
of  all  with  him  who  was  its  centre  of  interest;  and  a 
priest  of  the  Greek  Church,  whom  she  had  brought  with 
her,  after  conversing  with  my  father  at  the  rectory,  and 
listening  to  his  address  and  prayer  at  the  meeting,  said, 
'  If  there  be  a  saint  upon  earth,  this  is  he.'  When  re- 
turning to  London  by  the  train,  he  inquired  of  a  young 
officer  from  Chatham,  who  had  been  staying  in  the  house, 
'  Is  that  old  priest  always  as  happy  as  we  have  seen  him 

^  Since  sold  to  the  Governors  of  the  Lambeth  Orphanage. 


422  MEMOIE  OF  IlEV.  WILLIAM  MAKSII,  D.D. 

to-night?'  and  on  receiving  the  reply,  'I  never  saw  him 
otherwise,'  rejoined,  '  Then  his  religion  must  be  a  good  one.' 

This  tea-party  was  made,  as  usual,  an  occasion  for 
collecting  absent  members  of  the  family,  and  friends  from 
a  distance.  Amongst  others  who  came  to  stay  a  day  or 
two,  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Acklom,  who  were  then  settled 
at  the  vicarage  of  Hemel- Hempstead. 

One  more  opportunity  of  intercourse  and  happy  fellow- 
ship of  heart  was  granted  us  with  these  beloved  friends 
before  he,  whose  noble  Christian  character,  fervent  love  to 
the  Saviour,  and  judicious  zeal  in  His  service,  my  father 
so  deeply  appreciated,  was  to  hear  the  Master's  voice  say- 
ing to  him,  '  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter 
thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord.' 

In  the  month  of  November,  it  was  recommended  by 
my  father's  medical  adviser  that  he  should  pass  the  winter 
at  Beckenham,  on  account  of  the  much  greater  warmth  of 
the  house ;  the  draughts  and  thinner  walls  of  Beddington 
Rectory  having  brought  on  severe  attacks  of  rheumatism. 

Unfeigned  was  the  joy  with  which  tlie  news  of  his 
intended  return  was  received  in  Beckenham.  '  To  see 
him  in  the  pulpit,'  said  one,  '  would  be  as  good  as  a 
sermon,  even  if  he  could  not  say  a  word ;'  and  some,  in 
their  expressions  of  delight  in  the  hope  of  soon  seeing  his 
face  again,  reminded  us  of  the  exclamation  of  an  old 
woman  who  used  to  attend  his  ministry  in  Birmingham, 
'  He  looks  for  all  the  world  just  like  an  old  angel !' 

As  his  carriage  entered  the  village,  cottagers  with  their 
children  came  out  to  welcome  him,  and  the  ringers  ran 
from  their  work  to  give  him  a  cheerful  peal  from  the 
belfry. 


SUNSET  LIGHT. 


423 


During  tlie  following  winter  lie  was  able  to  take  family 
prayers  every  night,  and  to  conduct  the  Saturday  evening 
meeting  at  Beckenham  Eectory.  But  whilst  throwing  his 
interest  into  all  the  service  of  the  Lord  around  him,  his 
heart  and  prayers  were  much  concentrated  on  his  new 
parish.  His  curates  paid  him  regular  weekly  visits,  and 
brought  him  full  accounts  of  all  the  interests  in  their 
work,  whilst  every  parochial  matter  was  referred  to  him, 
so  that  his  guiding  influence  was  maintained  unbroken  in 
the  parish. 

The  following  letters,  written  in  that  year  and  in  the 
early  part  of  1861,  are  published  to  illustrate  the  sym- 
pathy and  affection  which  he  manifested  towards  the 
members  of  his  family,  whether  nearer  or  more  remote : — 

TO  HIS  YOUNGEST  DAUGHTER. 

'  IsLip  Eectoky,  July  13,  1860. 
.  .  .  '  I  HAVE  been  appointed  chaplain  to  the  old  ladies 
of  Islip,^  and  am  to  preach  to  them  this  evening ;  so  I 
must  retire  to  search  out  the  choicest  treasures  to  display 
before  them. 

*  I  shall  advise  them  to  take  two  looks,  which  I  would 
recommend  to  all  Christians, — "  Look  Upward,  for  the 
grace  needed  now ;  and  Forward,  for  the  rest  that  re- 
maineth." ' 

He  received  a  visit,  whilst  staying  at  Islip,  from  his 
old  friend,  '  young  Tom  Tyndale.'    The  following  words 

^  A  large  Bible-class  of  poor  old  women,  who  met  at  the  rectory 
ouce  a  week  for  Mrs.  Trench's  instruction. 


424 


MEMOIK  OF  llEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


which  he  wrote  on  a  slate  carried  by  Mr.  Tyndale  on 
account  of  his  deafness,  are  still  preserved  : — 

'  How  glad  I  am  to  have  another  shake  of  your  hand. 
It  reminds  me  of  former  years,  and  reflection  should 
always  produce  deep  humility  and  fervent  gratitude.  But 
if  such  is  the  retrospect,  what  gratitude  do  we  not  owe 
for  the  prospect?  Paradise,  resurrection,  perfection  of 
our  nature ;  knowledge  without  error ;  holiness  without 
sin ;  happiness  without  alloy.' 

TO  HIS  ELDEST  DAUGHTER,  NOT  LONG  AFTER  THE  DEATH 
OF  HER  LITTLE  SON. 

'  Beddington,  Aug.  28,  1860. 

'  My  DARLING  Child, — Your  letter  was  most  welcome. 
The  more  you  can  look  into  Paradise  the  better.  Every 
prospect  there  is  pleasant ;  and  dear  little  Eichard  is  one 
of  the  plants  in  that  garden.  Oh,  how  he  will  grow,  and 
bear  fruit  unto  eternity !  I  wish  I  knew  now  as  much  as 
he  knows,  and  enjoyed  as  much  as  he  enjoys ! 

'  Matilda  is  gone  back  to  Beckenham  for  a  few  days. 
'  I  do  not  know  how  I  could  have  accepted  this  place  if 
it  had  not  been  so  near  Beckenham. 

'  In  ourselves  we  are  all  wrong  for  eternity.  In  our 
blessed  Lord  Jesus,  in  Whom  is  our  trust,  we  are  all 
right  for  eternity.  "  It  is  finished ;" — the  most  blessed 
words  that  were  ever  uttered. 

'  Do  not  trouble  yourself  at  present  about  inability 
either  to  think  or  pray.  The  dulness  or  difficulty  is 
merely  the  effect  of  previous  exertion  and  distress  of 
heart.    I  wish  we  could  always  distinguish  between  what 


SUNSET  LIGHT. 


425 


is  physical  and  what  is  spiritual,  and  tlien  we  should  not 
charge  the  latter  with  that  which  is  due  to  the  former. 

'  I  knew  an  old  Christian  at  Eeading,  who  said,  in  every 
variation  of  circumstances,  "  It  is  all  for  the  best.  I  am 
in  the  hands  of  a  sovereign  God."  He  knew  that  sove- 
reignty is  always  exercised  in  the  way  of  mercy..  I  could 
preach  a  sermon  on  that  subject,  and  prove  it. 

*  I  preached  yesterday  with  perfect  ease ;  indeed  I 
have  never  found  any  difficulty  in  making  myself  heard 
in  this  church ;  but  I  regard  increasing  strength  as  one  of 
the  e^ddences  that  I  was  guided  here.  K.  reads  with  a 
large  niunber  of  the  working-classes  in  the  schoolroom 
on  Sunday  evenings.  The  work  seems  to  prosper.  Let 
us  be  thankful  and  humble,  and  prayerful.  Love  to  you 
all.  Wm.  Maesh.' 

TO  THE  EEY.  CHARLES  BEIDGES. 

'  Beddington  Rectoey,  Sept.  9. 

'  My  dear  Friexd, — A  thought  has  been  for  some  time 
in  my  mind,  and  your  pen  could  realize  it.  I  have  never 
seen  any  work  on  the  subject.  It  is  this — Christl^xtty 
AS  taught  by  Jesus  Christ. 

'  All  doctrines,  promises,  and  precepts  of  true  religion 
will  be  found  in  the  personal  ministry  of  our  blessed  Lord, 
while  he  was  executing  the  office  of  the  Prophet  that 
should  come  into  the  world." 

'  I  would  not  introduce  a  single  w^ord  more  than  we  can 
find  in  the  four  Evangelists.  I  am  disposed  to  think  that 
the  Apostles  taught  nothing  but  what  may  be  found,  semi- 
nally  at  least,  in  the  Gospels. 

*  If  it  meet  your  mind,  I  will  send  you  a  short  analysis 


426 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


of  what  tlie  treatise  might  be.  My  pen  and  age  cannot 
attempt  more. 

'  You  may  remember  a  book  by  Mr.  Overton  on  The 
True  Churchman.  It  satisfactorily  proved  that  those  who 
hold  evangelical  views  are  the  true  Churchmen. 

*  They  who  believe  and  follow  all  things  taught  by  our 
Lord  are  the  true  Christians.  (Perhaps  this  may  also  prove 
that  evangelical  faith  is  the  Christian  faith  !) — Your  ever 
affectionate  W.  Marsh.' 

TO  HIS  YOUNGEST  DAUGHTER. 

•  Beckexham  Rectory,  April  7. 

*  I  DAILY  pray  that  all  w-ho  come  under  our  roof  at 
Beddington  (as  well  as  visitors  at  Beckenham)  may  find 
it  good  and  profitable,  and  pleasant  to  be  there.  There  is 
a  "  house  not  made  with  hands,"  in  which  there  is  nothing 
but  what  is  good,  profitable,  and  pleasant. 

'  .  .  .  I  thank  God  for  each  new  encouragement  He 
grants  to  feeble  efforts  in  His  service.  Mr.  Simeon  once 
said  to  a  person  who  was  praising  him  for  having  kindled 
a  flame  in  the  land :  "  To  be  sure,  sir ;  quite  right,  always 
praise  the  poker,  tongs,  and  shovel."  That  man  will 
always  remember  in  future  that  the  praise  is  due  only 
to  the  Hand  that  uses  the  instrument. 

'  It  is  one  of  the  negative  blessings  of  a  future  state 
that  there  shall  be  "  no  more  pain."  What  must  the 
positive  blessings  be !  and  what  a  crowning  one  in  John 
xvii.  24  ! 

'  You  and  darling  Lucy  must  not  over- tire  yourselves 
in  furnishing  for  us,  nor  be  burdened  with  "  the  cares  of 
this  life." — Ever  your  own  loving  father,  W.  M.' 


SUNSET  LIGHT. 


427 


To  the  Same. 

'  Beckenham,  Mai/  8,  1861. 

'  .  .  .  I  BEGGED  ]\Irs.  AV —  to  encourage  the  poor  woman 
to  continue  in  prayer,  and  to  get  a  Oiristian  friend  or  two 
to  unite  with  her.  I  told  her  also  the  following  anecdote, 
which  I  heard  many  years  ago  : — A  lady  was  converted  : 
her  husband  was  opposed  to  religion ; — but  he  said  to 
a  friend,  "  My  wife  obeys  me  cheerfully  in  everything, 
except  where  she  thinks  her  duty  to  God  is  concerned." 
The  friend  said,  "  I  will  lay  you  a  wager  that  she  would 
not  obey  you  in  such  a  case  as  this  : — You  shall  invite  me 
and  half  a  dozen  more  to  sup  with  your  wife  at  a  very  late 
hour,  when  you  know  she  has  retired  to  rest."  "  I  take 
the  bet,"  he  said.  The  party  arrived  after  midnight.  He 
sent  word  to  his  wife  that  several  friends  had  come  to  sup 
with  him.  She  rose  immediately,  had  the  supper  prepared, 
and  received  them  kindly.  The  man  who  lost  the  wager 
said  to  her,  "  How  could  you  keep  your  temper?"  She 
answered,  "  Unless  my  husband's  heart  is  changed,  this  is 
his  only  heaven,  and  therefore  I  wish  to  make  it  as  happy 
to  him  as  possible."  When  the  husband  heard  it,  he  said, 
"  This  must  be  true  religion and  he  began  to  read,  and 
think,  and  pray  for  himself;  and  God  put  a  new  spirit  within 
him.    Sinners  may  be  drawn,  when  they  cannot  be  driven. 

'  Do  ask  the  sun  to  shine,  and  the  east  wind  to  retire, 
that  I  may  set  off  for  Beddington. — My  great  love  to  my 
housekeepers.    My  love  to  everybody.      Wm.  Maksh.' 


428 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


A  few  of  his  tlioiiglits,  noted  down  at  the  time,  are 
inserted  here : — 

'  St.  Paul  wrote  against  self- righteousness,  St.  James 
against  un-rigliteousness.' 

'  Fire  and  wind  are  beautiful  types  of  the  agency  of 
the  Holy  Spirit.  Fire  is  penetrating,  purifying,  illumi- 
nating, comforting.  So  tlie  Holy  Spirit  can  penetrate  the 
hardest,  purify  the  most  sinful,  illuminate  the  darkest, 
and  comfort  the  most  distressed  heart. 

'  Then,  what  can  resist  the  wind  ?  it  can  ujjroot  the 
strongest  trees,  it  revives,  it  invigorates,  it  refreshes.  So, 
like  the  mighty  rushing  wind,  the  Holy  Spirit  can  uproot 
the  strongest  prejudices,  can  revive  dead  souls,  can 
strengthen  and  refresh  believers.' 

*  Fire,  light,  air,  seem  to  me  the  best  simile  for  Deity. 
They  are  all  of  the  same  nature,  the  same  elements,  yet 
varied,  and  distinct  from  each  other.' 

'  The  Jewish  nation  was  compared  to  a  fig-tree ;  and 
the  words,  "  Let  no  fruit  grow  on  thee  henceforth  for 
ever,"  have  indeed  been  fulfilled,  for  that  nation  has 
borne  no  fruit  since  they  rejected  Messiah ;  but  when  we 
see  the  fig-tree  again  putting  forth  green  leaves,  we  shall 
know  that  summer  is  nigh! 

'  Whilst  the  righteousness  of  our  Eedeemer  admits  us 
into  heaven,  the  fruits  of  faith  will  be  rewarded  there.' 

'  Love  is  the  peculiar  spirit,  peace  tlie  peculiar  blessing, 
of  Christianity.    "  By  this  shall  all  men  know  that  ye 


SUNSET  LIGHT. 


429 


are  my  disciples,  if  ye  have  love  one  to  auotlier."  "  My 
peace  I  give  unto  you." ' 

'  The  imagery  of  Scripture  is  astonishing.  It  ransacks 
all  nature  to  illustrate  Divine  Truth  ;  from  the  sun  in  the 
firmament,  to  the  worm  that  creepeth  upon  the  earth.' 

'  What  a  difficulty,  says  one,  when  you  believe  in  a 
free  gift  of  salvation  through  Christ,  where  to  put  good 
works  ?    Why,  the  answer  is,  "  Put  them  in  your  life."  ' 

'  The  memory  of  the  beloved  apostle,  imder  the  inspira- 
tion of  the  Holy  Spirit,  was  the  faithful  depository  of  the 
deepest  and  highest  thoughts  revealed  by  His  Lord  to  His 
disciples.  The  14th  chapter  of  St.  John's  Gospel  w^as 
pointed  out  by  an  excellent  old  minister  to  a  physician 
who  held  Unitarian  sentiments,  with  the  request  that  he 
would  read  it  through  first  according  to  his  own  views, 
and  then,  divesting  himseK  of  prejudice,  read  it  again  as 
one  would  who  believed  in  the  divinity  of  the  Saviour, 
and  see  with  which  view  it  best  accorded.  The  physician 
rose  up,  as  he  concluded  his  second  reading  of  the  chapter, 
saying,  with  St.  Thomas,  "  My  Lord  and  my  God 

'  In  these  days  we  want  mines,  but  the  Lord  accepts 
mites! 

After  reading  the  19th  Psalm,  he  said,  'What  a  series 
of  arguments  it  contains  for  the  Bible  Society.  "  The  law^ 
of  the  Lord  is  perfect,  converting  the  soul;"  then  let  us 


430 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


give  it  to  the  unconverted  of  mankind.  "  The  testimony 
of  the  Lord  is  sure,  making  wise  the  simple;"  then  let 
us  give  it  to  the  uninstructed  of  mankind.  The  statutes 
of  the  Lord  are  right,  rejoicing  the  heart  ;"  then  let  us 
give  them  to  the  miserable  of  mankind.  "  The  command- 
ment of  the  Lord  is  pure,  enlightening  the  eyes  ;"  then  let 
us  give  it  to  the  sinful  of  mankind.  What  a  wonderful 
Psalm  it  is  :  and  like  the  1st  of  Eomans  it  shows  us  that 
men  are  not  converted  by  the  works  of  God,  but  by  the 
Kevelation  of  His  Word.' 


The  privilege  which  was  eagerly  sought  by  his  married 
grandchildren,  that  the  great-grandfather  should  himself 
publicly  dedicate  their  babes  to  the  service  of  Christ  in 
baptism,  occasioned  another  family  gathering  in  the  month 
of  February  1861,  for  the  christening,  in  Beckenham 
Church,  of  Margaret  Louisa,  the  first-born  child  of  one  of 
his  grand- daughters,  who  had  married  tlie  eldest  son  of 
Hulbert  Wathen,  Esq.  of  Beckenham  Lodge,  a  valued 
parishioner  of  Mr.  Chalmers. 

A  few  weeks  later  my  father  had  the  joy  of  welcoming 
back  from  India  another  married  grand-daughter,  who 
spent  much  of  her  time  in  England  under  his  roof,  and 
added  not  a  little  to  his  daily  pleasure. 

The  first  tea-party  which  my  father  gave  in  the 
grounds  of  Beddington  Eectory  was  to  the  mill- workers 
and  their  wives.  They  had  been  assembled  by  one  of 
his  family,  for  Scripture  readings,  in  a  large  tannery 


SUNSET  LIGHT. 


431 


shed,  belong;incr  to  IMr.  M'Eae,  who,  from  first  to  last, 
forwarded  these  plans  for  their  religious  benefit  with 
hearty  goodwill.  It  had  been  mentioned  by  a  daughter- 
in-law  of  ^rEae,  that  many  of  these  men  would 
probably  cease  to  attend  after  the  week  of  the  Epsom 
races.  She  said  it  had  become  an  almost  uniyersal 
practice  in  that  neighbourhood  for  the  working-men  to 
spend  the  'Derby- day'  on  the  race-course,  and  that  this 
frequently  resulted  in  betting  and  hard  drinking,  and, 
consequently,  in  making  homes  miserable  for  days  after- 
wards. She  earnestly  urged,  therefore,  that  an  appeal 
should  be  made  to  the  men  to  relinquish  the  holiday 
at  Epsom. 

After  some  consideration,  and  with  a  great  dread  of 
being  hard  upon  working-men,  by  seeking  to  depriye  them 
of  one  of  their  few  pleasures  before  they  had  found  higher 
and  greater  ones,  it  was  at  length  suggested  to  them  by  their 
friend,  at  one  of  their  Bible-readings,  that  if,  on  considera  - 
tion,  they  found  that  they  could  not  ask  for  the  blessing 
of  God  to  go  with  them  to  the  race-course,  and  if  they 
felt  that  the  day's  amusement  would  probably  end  m  sin, 
would  they  seek  the  help  of  God  to  enable  them  to  giye 
it  up  ?  And  it  was  added  that,  in  this  case,  though  a  tea- 
party  seemed  a  poor  exchange  for  the  excitement  of  at- 
tending the  races,  Dr.  ]\Iarsh  would  most  gladly  welcome 
them  to  the  rectory  for  the  afternoon,  and  that  he  and  his 
family  would  endeayour  to  make  it  as  pleasant  to  them 
as  they  could.  They  were  requested  to  take  time  for 
consideration,  and  at  the  end  of  two  days,  out  of  aboye  a 
hundred  '  hands,'  all  saye  three  sent  in  their  names  to 


432 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


accept  the  invitation.  To  soften  the  sacrifice,  and  to 
extend  the  pleasure,  their  wives  and  widowed  mothers 
were  asked  to  accompany  them,  and  the  use  of  the  park 
was  obtained  in  order  that  they  might  have  cricket  in 
the  earlier  part  of  the  day ;  and  as  Mr.  M'Eae  kindly 
provided  refreshment  there  at  noon,  they  were  able  to 
enjoy  a  whole  holiday. 

At  three  o'clock  they  walked  in  procession  from  the 
park,  and  were  received  at  the  rectory  gate,  where  flowers 
and  coloured  favours  had  been  previously  prepared,  to  be 
distributed  by  ladies  who  came  to  assist  at  the  tea-party. 
The  tea  was  spread  in  a  picturesque  part  of  the  rectory 
grounds ;  and,  after  a  hearty  meal,  some  sacred  verses 
were  sung  by  the  women  who  worked  at  a  paper-  mill  in 
the  adjoining  parish  of  Carshalton,  where  the  rector  had 
most  kindly  given  his  sanction,  at  the  request  of  the  mill- 
workers,  for  a  weekly  Bible-reading  to  be  held  by  one  of 
Dr.  Marsh's  family. 

The  singing  ended,  and  prayer  having  been  offered  by 
Mr.  Southey,  they  seated  themselves  on  the  grass  around 
the  aged  rector  ;  and  whilst 

'  All 

Saw  in  his  face  contentment,  in  his  life 
The  path  to  glory  and  perpetual  joy,' 

he  spoke  to  them  on  the  happiness  of  '  being  found  in 
Christ'  and  of  being  employed  in  His  service. 

Six  months  afterwards,  an  unbeliever,  referring  to  that 
address,  said,  '  Eighteen  years  before,  I  had  a  great  shake 
away  from  Christianity  by  a  clergyman  treating  me  in  a 
very  hoity-toity  way.    I  have  been  a  free-thinker  ever 


SUNSET  LIGHT. 


433 


since.  But  I  got  a  great  shake  back  towards  Christianity 
when  I  heard  your  father  speak  about  faith  in  his  Saviour 
making  him  happy;  and  yet  not  so  much  by  what  he 
said  as  by  the  sight  of  his  face.  It  did  your  heart  good 
to  look  at  it' 

My  father  had  invited  some  of  his  old  clerical  friends, 
and  several  laymen  who  also  were  devoted  Christians,  to 
make  short  addresses  to  the  assembled  party.  Between 
each  address  a  hymn  was  sung,  and  the  whole  was  con- 
cluded with  prayer  by  Mr.  O'Rorke,  after  which  all  joined 
in  singing  the  doxology  before  they  parted. 

A  poor  woman  who  had  been  bedridden  for  many  years 
told  us  shortly  afterwards  that  she  had  always  dreaded 
the  evening  of  the  Derby-day,  for  that  sounds  of  oaths 
and  curses,  mingled  with  snatches  of  profane  songs, 
reached  her  ears,  even  through  her  closed  window,  when 
the  men  returned  from  the  race- course ;  and  that  too 
often  a  drunken  fight  was  the  close  of  the  day's  revelry. 
'  But,'  she  continued,  *  this  year  it  was  a  different  thing. 
I  heard  nothing  but  sweet  hymns  and  cheerful  "  good- 
nights,"  as  the  neighbours  parted  at  their  garden  gates.' 

And  from  another  parishioner,  we  heard  that  a  young 
mill- worker,  who  lodged  at  her  house,  said,  on  his  return 
from  the  rectory,  '  No  more  races  for  me,  landlady,  I  have 
found  a  happier  way  !' 

On  the  20th  of  July  he  gave  a  similar  fete  to  the  wives 
and  widows  of  Beddington,  inclusive  also  of  the  single 
women,  so  that  not  a  few  of  the  faces  of  the  Derby-day 
tea-party  reappeared.  On  this  occasion,  a  table  was  also 
provided  for  a  number  of  recruits  from  the  Guards'  bar- 

2  E 


434 


MEMOIR  OF  KEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


racks  at  Croydon,  many  of  whom  were  in  the  habit  of 
attending  a  Bible -reading,  held  for  the  poor  of  the  parish, 
on  Sunday  evening,  in  the  school- room ;  and  some  also 
came  one  evening  in  the  week  to  receive  Scriptural 
instruction  from  Mr.  Baldwin,  a  young  officer  in  the 
engineer  service,  who  spent  his  last  summer,  before  leaving 
for  India,  at  Beddington  Eectory.  He  had  been  one  of 
the  leaders  of  the  band  of  young  Christians  at  Addis- 
combe  ;  and  his  high  character  and  noble  heart  had 
endeared  him  in  no  slight  degree  to  my  father. 

This  year  passed  away  calmly  and  happily,  with  health 
sufficient  for  the  exercise  of  the  duties  in  which  he  de- 
lighted, and  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  family  circle  and  of 
his  numerous  friends. 


TO  HIS  ELDEST  DAUGHTER. 

'  Darling  Mary, —  .  .  .  The  work  here  appears  to  be 
prospering,  Deo  gratia  !  We  have  encouragement  enough 
to  embolden  us  to  ask  for  more. 

'  .  .  .  Several  pleasant  Christian  visitors  have  been 
with  us, — last  week,  dear  Lady  ErroU  and  her  young 
sister.  Both  are  seeking  to  hear  their  Saviour's  voice,  to 
know  His  love,  and  to  do  His  will. 

'  "  To  hear  His  voice  ;"  then  we  have  truth.  "  To 
know  His  love  ;"  then  we  have  peace.  "  To  do  His 
will then  we  have  usefulness,  and  all  leading  to  glory, 
honour,  immortality,  and  eternal  life. — Your  ever  loving 
father,  W.  M.' 


CHAPTER  XV. 


*  LIVE,  WHILE  YOU  LIVE.' 

'  He  liveth  long  who  liveth  well ! 
All  other  life  is  short  and  vain  ; 
He  liveth  longest  who  can  tell 
Of  living  most  for  heavenly  gain. 

Sow  love,  and  taste  its  fruitage  pure  ; 

Sow  peace,  and  reap  its  harvest  bright ; 
Sow  sunbeams  on  the  rock  and  moor, 

And  find  a  harvest -home  of  light,' 

H.  BONAK, 


'LIVE,  WHILE  YOU  LIVE.' 


England  still  remembers  tlie  days  of  anxious  suspense, 
followed  too  quickly  by  the  shock  of  grief  wliicb  fell  upon 
every  heart  and  home  throughout  the  land,  when,  in  the 
2)rime  of  his  noble  manhood,  the  Prince  Consort  died. 

Eyes  that  had  scarcely  ever  been  dimmed  by  tears, 
and  those  which  had  almost  wept  away  the  power  of 
shedding  them,  alike  overflowed  then  for  their  Queen  in 
her  desolating  sorrow,  and  for  their  country  in  the  loss  of 
so  wise  a  counsellor,  so  shining  an  example. 

*  We  know  him  now,  all  narrow  jealousies 
Are  silent ;  and  we  see  him  as  he  moved, 
How  modest,  kindly,  all-accomplished,  wise, 
With  what  sublime  repression  of  himself ; 

Wearing  the  white  flower  of  a  blameless  life. 
Before  a  thousand  peering  littlenesses, 
In  that  fierce  light  which  beats  upon  a  throne. 
And  blackens  every  blot.' 

The  mournful  tidings  were  known  in  Beckenliam  early 
on  Sunday,  but  the  knowledge  of  it  was  kept  from  my 
father,  as  he  was  to  preach  that  morning,  and  his  deafness 


438  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

prevented  him  from  being  conscious  of  the  silent  announce- 
ment that  all  hope  was  over,  by  the  omission  from  the 
prayers  for  the  Eoyal  Family  of  that  beloved  and  honoured 
name. 

When  he  came  home  and  heard  that  the  blow  had 
actually  fallen,  it  seemed  almost  to  overwhelm  him;  and 
a  day  or  two  later  we  were  obliged  to  remove  from  his 
room  a  little  picture  of  the  Queen  leaning  on  the  Prince 
Consort's  arm ;  for  its  aspect  of  happy  confiding  love,  in 
contrast  with  the  thought  of  the  desolation  of  her  widow- 
hood, so  pierced  his  heart  that  he  wept  until  palpitation 
came  on.  During  his  subsequent  severe  illness,  this  in- 
cident was  mentioned  by  one  of  the  ladies-in-waiting  to 
her  Majesty,  and  it  drew  from  her  tender  heart  an  ex- 
pression of  sympathy  which  was  deeply  gratifying  to  him. 

About  a  year  and  a  half  after  the  Prince  Consort's  death, 
her  Majesty,  in  going  from  Windsor  to  Blackheath  to  see 
Prince  Leopold,  had  to  pass  through  Beckenham  station. 
A  slight  delay  was  necessary  to  change  the  carriages  on  to 
a  different  line,  and  during  this  time  the  train  was  stand- 
ing at  the  corner  of  the  rectory  grounds,  almost  under 
the  shadow  of  its  tall  old  elms.  The  wish  of  the  Queen, 
that  she  should  have  no  greetings  on  her  way,  had  been 
made  known,  and  orders  had  therefore  been  given  at 
the  rectory  that  none  of  the  family  should  go  outside 
the  gates.  From  the  window  of  the  boudoir,  where  my 
father  was  lying  on  his  couch,  he  could  see  between  the 
trees  the  white  steam  from  the  engine  which  had  brought 
the  royal  carriage  to  Beckenham,  and  his  loyal  heart  beat 
high  with  the  consciousness  of  his  Queen's  presence  in  the 


'  LIVE,  WHILE  YOU  LIVe/ 


439 


place,  whilst  his  fervent  spirit  poured  itself  out  in  prayer 
for  her  with  such  earnestness  that,  when  he  was  told  her 
Majesty  had  left,  he  sank  back  exhausted,  and  for  some 
minutes  v/as  unable  to  return  to  his  morning  reading. 


During  the  time  of  suspense,  when  a  war  with  America 
was  imminent,  he  was  fervently  engaged  in  prayer  for 
the  preservation  of  peace.  He  felt  deeply  for  his  eldest 
grand- daughter  in  parting  with  her  husband  in  the  expec- 
tation of  active  service  ;  and  this,  together  with  his  per  - 
sonal  love  for  Colonel  Anstruther,  lent  a  private  interest 
to  the  earnestness  of  his  prayers  for  the  public  blessing. 
The  announcement  of  the  release  of  the  prisoners,  which 
sent  a  thrill  of  joy  throughout  the  country,  was  received 
by  him  with  profound  thanksgiving,  but  scarcely  with 
surprise.  His  faith  had  in  a  measure  prepared  him  to 
expect  it. 

TO  HIS  youngest  DAUGHTER. 

'  January  3,  1862. 
'  .  .  .  I  AM  glad  you  like  this  new-year's  tract.-^  A 
packet  has  been  sent  you,  and  you  shall  have  as  many 
more  as  you  wish. 

^  At  tlie  close  of  every  year  he  published  an  '  luvitation  to  United 
Prayer,'  in  a  tract  of  four  pages,  in  which  a  survey  of  present  events 
was  given,  and  future  hopes  were  dwelt  upon  ;  but  the  main  object 
was  to  entreat  Christians  to  unite  in  prayer  for  the  outpouring  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  The  plan  was  begiin  by  Mr.  Haldane  Stewart ;  after  his 
death  it  was  taken  up  by  my  father,  and  the  invitation  is  now  made 
to  the  Church  of  God  by  Dr.  M'Neile. 


440  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

'  How  we  thank  God  that  our  sweet  Lucy  is  better,  and 
that  darling  Louie  bears  her  trial  so  well.  May  God  in 
His  providence  watch  over  her  Eobert,  and  bring  hini 
and  our  army  safe  back  from  Canada.  All  well  here ; 
satisfied  you  should  be  at  the  seaside  with  your  nurslings, 
yet  longing  to  see  you. 

'  We  are  very  thankful  for  the  mercy  shown  to  our  be- 
loved Queen,  in  the  power  of  resignation  given  her,  and 
her  intention  to  discharge  her  high  and  important  duties. 

'  Though  we  are  trembling  as  to  America,  yet  of  this 
we  are  certain,  that  all  prayer  on  earth  will  terminate 
in  endless  praise  in  heaven.  Infinite  wisdom  and  infinite 
love  direct  all;  and  this  we  know, — "the  Lord  reign- 
eth."  "  The  government  shall  be  upon  His  shoulder" 
who  took  our  sins  on  His  own  person.  'Not  a  sparrow 
falls  unseen,  and  wisdom  directs  love.  "  He  doth  not 
willingly  afflict  or  grieve  the  children  of  men."  In  Him 
may  we  trust,  in  Him  rejoice,  and  delight  to  make  known 
His  love. 

'  I  had  a  very  large  party  last  Saturday  evening  at  the 
rectory.    I  took  Acts  iv.  14. 

'  The  power,  when  it  comes,  is  omnipotent ;  so  that  I 
should  have  no  objection  to  a  congregation  of  infidels, 
profligates,  self-righteous,  or  formalists.  We  must  exer- 
cise faith  in  the  power.  "  According  to  your  faith  be  it 
unto  you."  We  ask  too  little,  look  for  too  little,  believe 
too  little  for  blessing  on  the  Word.  "  Lord,  increase  our 
faith  !" — Ever  your  most  loving  father,  W.  M.' 


LITE,  WHILE  YOU  LITE.' 


441 


To  liis  daughter  and  grand- daugliters,  on  the  arrival  of 
the  news  that  the  danger  of  war  was  averted  :  — 

'  Beckexham,  January  9,  1862. 

'  My  Darlings, — "  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest !  on 
earth,  Peace  /" 

'  It  is  a  great  answer  to  many  prayers.  And  how  plea- 
sant that  it  should  be  sent  before  the  "  Week  of  Prayer" 
closes — to  turn  prayer  into  praise. 

'  May  we,  as  individuals,  seek  for  more  grace  to  show 
forth  His  praises,  not  only  with  our  lips  but  in  our  lives  ; 
and  to  lead  us,  as  a  nation,  to  show  our  gratitude,  by 
honouring  His  word  and  His  Sabbath  more  humbly  and 
heartily. 

'  .  .  .  I  almost  cried  when  I  heard  of  the  death  of  dear 
old  Mrs.  M'Eae.  How  well  she  carried  her  ninety  years, 
and  how  much  we  shall  miss  her  from  our  summer 
garden-tea-party.  We  feel  for  her  son.  The  longer  so 
good  a  mother  was  spared  to  him,  the  more  he  valued  her. 
But  it  is  only  joy  for  herself.  Safe  for  ever.  Holy  for 
ever.  Happy  for  ever. — Your  most  loving  father  and 
grandfather,  W.  Maesh.' 

In  the  spring  of  this  year,  he  shared  in  the  joy  of  the 
beloved  grandchild  who  had  recently  returned  from  India, 
in  welcoming  back  her  husband,  Captain  Hay  Forbes,  son 
of  the  Honourable  Eobert  Forbes,  who,  with  his  excellent 
Christian  wife,  had  been  for  some  time  amongst  my 
father's  beloved  and  most  attached  friends.  During  his 
short  leave,  he  and  his  young  wife  spent  much  of  their 
time  at  Beddington  Rectory  ;  for  he  formed  a  devoted 


4-1:2  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

affection  for  my  father,  watcliing  him  with  undisguised 
admiration,  to  anticipate  his  lightest  wish.  This  love  was 
returned  with  fatherly  tenderness,  and  most  fervent 
prayers  for  his  spiritual  welfare.  Nor  was  the  aged 
grandfather  satisfied  with  prayer  without  effort.  By  ear- 
nest conversations  on  Scriptural  subjects,  by  anecdotes 
related  of  souls  brought  to  Christ,  and  of  the  happiness 
found  in  Him,  no  less  than  by  the  beauty  of  holiness  in 
his  daily  life,  was  the  young  man  drawn,  almost  insen- 
sibly, to  determine,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  take  no  rest, 
and  to  give  God  no  rest,  until  he  too  knew  that  his  life 
was  hid  with  Christ  in  God.  But  it  was  not  imtil  the 
day  of  their  return  to  India,  in  the  following  November, 
when  he  and  his  wife  were  taking  their  last  farewell  of 
their  beloved  grandfather,  that  he  knew  how  full  an  answer 
had  been  given  to  his  prayers. 

TO  HIS  ELDEST  DAUGHTER. 

'  Beckenham  Rectory,  March  26,  1862. 

*  Dear  darling  Mary, —  .  .  .  Though  our  title  to 
heaven  is  in  Christ  alone,  yet,  such  is  the  Divine  bounty, 
that  right  conduct  is  rewarded.  You  are  now  reaping  the 
fruits  of  the  good  conduct  you  sowed  when  a  child. 

'  You  say  you  are  "  a  worm."  I  am  glad  you  think  it, 
because  it  is  "a  worm  that  shall  thresh  the  mountains." 

'  If  you  had  said  you  were  a  Goliath,  I  should  have  been 
greatly  afraid  that  your  head  would  have  been  cut  off !' 

'  May  29,  1862. 

*  My  sweet  LITTLE  LucY, — What  a  delightful  account 
you  give  of  the  northern  home.     Your  story  of  the 


*  LIVE,  WHILE  YOU  LIVE.' 


443 


children's  "  missiontery"  box  is  very  pleasant.  But  I 
fear  we  have  too  many  on  this  side  the  Tweed  to  follow 
the  example  of  the  little  one  who  thinks  that  "  charity 
begins  at  home and  alas,  when  that  is  the  case,  it  gene- 
rally stays  there ! 

'When  your  time  for  returning  comes,  I  have  told 
them  all  that  I  mean  to  go  for  you,  unless  some  thoroughly 
good  escort  is  found.  Kiss  all  the  darlings  for  me,  and 
tell  them  to  love  their  Saviour,  and  to  love  one  another, 
and  to  love  all  the  world  ;  which  is  all  I  ask  at  present. 

'  God  bless  you  alL  We  enjoy  your  loving  letters  and 
pleasant  stories  of  the  little  darlings.— Your  most  loving 
grandfather,  W.  IMaesh.' 

The  '  opposition'-Derby-day  at  Beddington  Picctory  had 
now  become  an  institution,  and  was  anticipated  with 
scarcely  less  pleasure  by  many  in  the  upper  classes  of 
society,  than  by  those  for  whom  its  celebration  was  prin- 
cipally adopted.  On  this  anniversary,  there  was  a  large 
attendance  from  London  and  other  places,  and  amongst 
these  friends  my  father  had  the  pleasure  of  welcoming 
Sir  Culling  Eardley  and  the  Eev.  Edmund  Hollond.  With 
Sir  Culling  he  had  long  been  linked  in  many  a  Protestant 
and  evangelical  work  of  faith  and  love ;  and  with  ]\Ir. 
Hollond  he  was  associated  in  the  Simeon  Trust,  and  had 
found  him  also  ever  ready  to  help  in  every  work  of  piety 
and  benevolence/ 

1  The  late  Eev.  Charles  Simeon,  Fellow  of  King's  College,  Cam- 
bridge, had  spent  an  ample  fortune  in  the  purchase  of  livings  in  im- 
portant stations,  in  order  to  present  to  them,  on  vacancies,  the  most 


444 


MEMOIR  OF  EEY.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


In  June  the  College  at  Addiscombe  was  finally  closed, 
as  the  cadets  were  to  be  transferred  to  the  Academy  at 
Woolwich,  on  the  amalgamation  of  the  Indian  service 
with  the  Queen's  army.  Monday  the  17th  was  chosen 
for  a  last  meeting  at  Beddington  Eectory  with  the  members 
of  the  Addiscombe  Bible-reading.  A  few  friends,  includ- 
ing Mr.  Blackwood  and  Sydney  Duchess  of  Manchester, 
who  had  for  some  time  past  invited  several  of  the  cadets 
to  spend  Sunday  at  their  house  alternately  with  Becken- 
ham  and  Beddington,  came  to  join  in  the  meeting. 

The  afternoon  was  sultry,  so  the  little  band  assembled 
in  a  shady  part  of  the  flower-garden ;  and  there,  after  Mr. 
Blackwood  had  begun  with  prayer,  we  read  together 
2  Tim.  ii.,  and  spoke  of  the  Christian's  warfare,  his  hard- 
ships, his  temptations,  his  sufferings,  his  assurance,  his 
certain  victory,  and  his  glorious  reward. 

Before  the  conversation  had  quite  ended,  it  was  inter- 
rupted by  a  heavy  thunder-storm,  and  all  took  shelter  in 
the  rectory.  My  father  was  reading  in  his  library ;  for, 
as  he  had  preached  the  day  before,  we  feared  to  ask  him 

earnest  and  able  evangelical  clergymen  whom  he  could  find  willing  to 
vmdertake  the  charge.  He  first  associated  my  father  with  himself  in 
the  Trust,  and,  shortly  before  his  own  death,  vested  it  also  in  the 
hands  of  the  late  Archdeacon  Hodson  and  Rev.  William  Carus  Wilson, 
and  of  the  E-evs.  William  Carus  and  John  Venn,  men  endowed  with 
the  '  spirit  of  power  and  of  love,  and  of  a  sound  mind. '  When  two  of 
the  number  were  removed  by  death,  the  vacancies  were  filled  up  by 
the  appointment  'of  the  Rev.  Edward  Auriol  and  the  Rev.  Edmund 
Hollond,  men  of  like  spirit  and  principles. 

The  meetings  of  the  trustees,  which  for  several  years  took  place 
under  my  father's  roof,  and  the  affectionate  intercourse  they  ever 
maintained  one  with  another,  were  always  sources  of  refreshment  to 
him  and  to  them. 


'  LIVE,  WHILE  YOU  LIVE.' 


to  give  an  address,  less  the  exertion  sliould  be  too  mucli 
for  him.  But  no  sooner  did  he  know  that  the  cadets  were 
in  the  house,  than  he  expressed  his  strong  wish  to  meet 
them  once  more,  to  give  them  a  parting  blessing. 

Like  the  high-priest  in  ancient  days,  when  he  came 
forth  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  to  bless  the  people,  he 
came  from  seeking  the  face  of  his  God  in  the  study  of  the 
Scriptures ;  and,  taking  his  place  in  the  midst  of  the 
bright  young  group,  he  first  gave  some  heaven-taught 
counsel  to  guide  them  in  the  ordering  of  their  daily  life 
and  conversation,  if  they  desired  not  merely  to  be  amongst 
the  followers  of  Christ,  but  to  have  the  honour  and  the 
happiness  of  being  standard-bearers  in  the  army  of  His 
chosen  and  faithful  ones ;  and  then  concluded  Vv'ith  the 
inspired  benediction,— 

'  The  Lord  bless  thee  and  keep  thee  : 

'The  Lord  make  His  face  shine  upon  thee,  and  be 
gracious  unto  thee  : 

'  The  Lord  lift  up  His  countenance  upon  thee,  and  give 
thee  peace.' 

Few  could  have  seen  unmoved  the  A^eteran  warrior, 
whose  courage  was  still  as  high,  and  whose  devotion  to 
his  Master's  cause  was  as  unwearied  as  in  the  days  of  his 
prime,  though  age  had  obliged  him  to  relinquish  the  more 
arduous  part  of  the  service,  thus  arming  the  recruits 
for  the  field  on  which,  '  having  fought  a  good  fight,'  his 
own  warfare  would  shortly  be  accomplished.  God  gi^ant 
that  each  of  those  young  soldiers  may  be  found  at  the 
right  hand  of  the  great  Captain  of  our  salvation,  in  the 
day  of  His  appearing  ! 


446  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

The  Bishop  of  Winchester  kindly  preached  for  him  on 
Sunday,  June  29th,  and  my  father  much  enjoyed  his 
society. 

He  had  a  natural  reverence  for  authority ;  and  when  he 
had,  as  in  this  case,  perfect  confidence  in  and  sympathy 
with  his  diocesan,  it  was  an  especial  pleasure  to  him  to 
welcome  him  under  his  roof.  There  were  many  pleasant 
events  in  past  years  to  recall  together ;  and  foremost  in 
their  memories  seemed  to  be  a  visit  which  the  bishop  had 
paid  to  the  Channel  Islands,  when  my  father  was  residing 
in  Guernsey  for  part  of  the  summer  of  1829.  It  was  the 
first  time  that  a  bishop  had  been  there  for  years,  and  it 
produced  quite  an  excitement  of  interest  amongst  the 
inhabitants.  The  bishop  was  accompanied,  on  that  visit 
to  Guernsey,  by  his  chaplains,  the  Eev.  Alexander  Dallas, 
and  the  Eev.  Philip  (now  Archdeacon)  J acob.  They  all 
united  in  promoting,  in  every  way  in  their  power,  the 
work  of  the  Lord.  The  bishop  carried  on  his  own 
special  olFice  of  ordaining  and  confirming,  and  also  united 
with  his  two  excellent  chaplains  in  preaching,  visiting, 
and  addressing  schools.  It  was  a  time  of  great  interest, 
and  doubtless  of  much  blessing.  One  remarkable  instance 
of  conversion  may  be  recorded  here.  In  the  island  of  Jersey 
an  unhappy  young  man  was  at  the  time  in  prison,  and 
under  sentence  of  death  for  murder,  committed  in  a  fit  of 
passion.  There  had  not  been  an  execution  in  the  island 
for  twenty-four  years,  and  the  case  excited  painful  interest 
among  the  inhabitants.  Mr.  Dallas  and  Mr.  Jacob  visited 
the  poor  criminal,  and  earnestly  pointed  him  to  the 
Saviour.    He  became  truly  penitent ;  and  their  conversa- 


'  LIVE,  WHILE  YOU  LIYE/ 


447 


tions  and  prayers  were  made  the  means  of  leading  liim  to 
cast  himself  as  a  guilty  sinner  on  the  Lamb  of  God,  who 
taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world :  thus  he  was  enabled  to 
trust  in  that  Saviour's  pardoning  love,  and  to  meet  with- 
out dread  the  awful  fulfilment  of  his  sentence. 

In  July,  a  family  meeting  took  place  at  Beddington 
Eectory,  for  the  christening  of  the  third  son  of  his  eldest 
grandchild.  Eobert  Hamilton  Anstruther  was  the  last 
infant  for  whom  he  was  able  to  read  the  baptismal  service. 
The  little  brothers  and  sister  of  the  babe  clustered  round 
their  great-grandfather  as  he  stood  by  the  font,  looking  up 
with  reverent  love  into  his  heavenly  face,  as  with  tender 
solemnity  he  dedicated  the  unconscious  child  to  be 
*  Christ's  faithful  soldier  and  servant  unto  his  life's  end.' 

His  birthday  was  celebrated,  as  usual,  by  a  tea-party 
for  the  women  of  the  parish,  and  the  customary  gathering 
from  far  and  near,  and  by  addresses  given  by  several 
friends.  Amongst  many  little  tokens  of  love  which  were 
brought  him  on  that  occasion,  was  a  text  illuminated  by  a 
niece  of  my  mother's,  Mrs.  Austen  of  West  Wickham  Eec- 
tory, which,  from  that  time,  was  always  placed  opposite 
the  foot  of  his  bed, — '  To  me  to  live  is  Christ,  to  die  is  gain.' 

Almost  immediately  afterwards,  he  had  a  severe  attack 
of  illness,  accompanied  by  distressing  palpitations  of  the 
heart ;  but  his  faith  was  strong  that  he  would  be  restored 
to  preach  again  '  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.'  He 
was  much  gratified  by  the  interest  and  sympathy  mani- 
fested, both  by  rich  and  poor ;  and  shortly  after  he  had 
begun  to  recover,  he  wrote  the  following  note,  and  directed 


448  MEMOIR  OF  HEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

that  a  printed  copy  should  be  left  at  every  house  and 
cottage  in  the  parish  : — 

'  Beddington  Rectory,  August  7,  1862. 

'  My  dear  Friends, — ^Your  kind  sympathy  with  me 
and  my  family  during  my  late  illness  calls  for  my  grati- 
tude to  God  and  to  you. 

*  Mine  hour,  it  a;^pears,  is  not  yet  come  to  depart  this 
life,  as  I  am  in  a  measure  raised  up  again,  and  may,  per- 
haps, be  permitted  to  address  you  again  from  the  pulpit. 
I  am  very  thankful  for  the  faithful  and  affectionate  dis- 
charge of  that,  and  other  duties,  by  my  beloved  brethren, 
Mr.  Southey  and  Mr.  O'Eorke. 

'  If  life  be  always  uncertain,  it  must  be  emphatically  so 
at  my  age.  But  my  present  motto  is,  "  Work  whilst  it 
is  day  yet  trust  in  no  work  except  that  which  was 
wrought  during  thirty- three  years,  above  1800  years  ago. 

"  Jesus,  Thy  blood  and  righteousness 
My  beauty  are,  my  glorious  dress." 

'  With  reference  to  the  hour  of  death,  I  have  often 
thought  I  should  like  to  have  the  humility  of  the  publican, 
— "  God  be  merciful  to  me,  a  sinner ! "  and  to  offer  the 
prayer  of  Stephen, — "  Lord  Jesus,  receive  my  spirit and 
to  exercise  the  faith  of  David,—"  Into  Thy  hands  I  com- 
mend my  spirit,  for  Thou  hast  redeemed  me,  0  Lord, 
Thou  God  of  truth." 

'  May  the  Divine  blessing  rest  on  you  and  your  families  ; 
and  may  we  all,  taking  the  Word  of  God  as  our  guide, 
finally  meet  in  the  world  of  light  and  love. — Ever  your 
faithful  and  affectionate  friend,  William  Marsh.' 


'  LIVE,  WHILE  YOU  LIVE.' 


449 


TO  HIS  SECOND  DAUGHTER. 

'  Beddixgtox  Rectory,  August  8. 

'  Dka-R  daelixg  ]\Iatilda, — Many  thanks  for  your 
love-letter.  There  is  no  love  lost.  Xever  was  a  father 
more  blessed  in  his  daughters.  Oh,  what  unspeakable 
happiness  it  will  be  to  meet  in  that  world,  not  only  where 
all  is  light  and  all  is  love,  but  where  there  is  no  parting. 
"  So  shall  we  ever  be  with  the  Lord."  Sweet  word  of  the 
inspired  apostle.  That  will  be  the  sunshine  on  all.  AYe 
do  not  take  glory  from  the  sun  when  we  admire  flowers 
and  fruits.  AVe  know  the  sun  to  be  the  source  of  those 
beauties  and  benefits.  So  in  heaven  we  shall  see  the  glory 
of  the  Lord  in  all  He  does  to  make  His  people  happy. 
The  glory  of  Him  will  be  seen  in  all  His  wonderful 
prayer  on  earth  will  be  fully  answered  (John  xvii.  24). 

'  Love  attends  you.  Dear  Constance  and  Fred,  are  en- 
joying the  quiet  of  Beddington  Eectory  and  the  fresh 
air  from  the  downs.  Their  sweet  little  child  is  here  also. 
My  dear  Mrs.  Marsh  takes  great  care  of  me.  She  unites 
in  love.  W.  Maesh.' 

To  the  Same. 

'  Beddixgtox. 

'  Daelixg  Matilda, — ^\e  had  a  pleasant  visit  yester- 
day from  Lord  Eadstock.  He  is  a  faithful  and  devoted 
Christian. 

'I  am  remarkably  well  to-day,  but  always  hoping  to 
be  better;  and  shall  never  be  satisfied  till  quite  well, 
when 

2  F 


450  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLI A.M  MARSH,  D.D. 

"  Sin,  my  worst  enemy  before, 
Shall  vex  my  eye  and  ear  no  more. 
My  inward  foes  shall  all  be  slain  ; 
Nor  Satan  break  my  peace  again. 

Then  shall  I  see,  and  hear,  and  know, 
All  I  desired  and  wished  below ; 
And  every  power  find  sweet  employ 
Tn  that  eternal  world  of  joy." 

And,  next  to  the  sight  of  the  Saviour,  to  see  you  all  there 
— Oh,  what  joy  ! 

'  Would  you  like  to  hear  a  dream  I  had  last  night  ?  I 
saw  before  me — side  by  side — 

'  The  Babe  of  Bethlehem— The  Eternal  King. 

'  The  Man  of  sorrows — filled  with  unutterable  joy. 

'  The  outcast  of  men — the  Judge  of  the  world. 

'  He  had  not  where  to  lay  His  head, — the  universe  as 
His  property.' 

On  the  12th  of  August  a  telegram  reached  the  rectory 
from  the  father  of  one  who  had  been  amongst  the  most 
devoted  of  the  young  Christians  at  Addiscombe.  The 
telegram  only  said,  '  Pray  for  the  departing  spirit  of  our 
beloved  Arthur.    He  is  quite  conscious.    All  is  peace.' 

It  was  the  first  intelligence  of  his  illness  which  had 
i^eached  my  father,  and  it  deeply  touched  him.  He  had 
remarked  the  rapid  ripening  of  the  youth  from  the  day 
when — trained  from  infancy  in  Scriptural  knowledge,  and 
blessed  with  the  unceasing  prayers  of  a  tender  mother — 
he  had,  at  Beckenham  Rectory,  believed  on  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  with  the  heart  unto  righteousness,  and  had 
gone  forth  '  to  confess  Him  with  the  mouth  unto  salva- 
tion,' amidst  his  companions  at  a  military  college. 


'  LIVE,  WHILE  YOU  LIVE.' 


451 


From  that  hour,  sensitive  as  he  was  to  an  almost  femi- 
nine degree,  the  brave  and  faithful  spirit  of  that  young 
soldier  never  flinched.  To  those  who  watched  him  closest, 
it  seemed  that  he  never  even  wavered,  but  that  his  light 
grew  brighter  and  brighter  until  the  sun  of  his  earthly  life 
went  down  at  noon. 

Delicacy  of  health  obliged  him  to  resign  his  commis- 
sion as  first  engineer  of  the  term,  just  as  he  had  taken  the 
highest  honours  of  the  college.  After  a  time  he  turned 
his  thoughts  to  studying  for  Orders,  and  matriculated 
at  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  where,  during  his  brief 
career,  he  was  remarked  as  being  '  pre-eminent  amongst 
the  number  of  those  who  deserve  the  name  of  consistent 
and  happy  Christians.'  Wherever  he  went,  during  the 
vacations,  his  society  was  felt  to  be  an  influence  for 
increased  holiness  and  earnestness.  At  once  he  sought  to 
be  employed  in  visiting  the  sick,  and  constantly  conversed 
with  those  of  his  own  age  on  the  subjects  nearest  his 
heart ;  and  he  has  been  known  to  give  up  travelling  in 
the  same  carriage  with  his  own  friends,  in  order  to  carry 
on  a  conversation  with  a  third-class  passenger,  begun  on 
the  platform  of  the  railway  station,  that  he  might  press 
upon  his  companion  the  blessedness  of  choosing  the  Wa.y 
of  Life. 

When  he  was  seized  with  fever  at  Interlachen,  he  said 
to  his  devoted  mother,  '  It  is  better  to  depart  and  be  with 
Christ — far  better.'  So  dear  was  the  Bible  to  him,  that 
he  would  fall  asleep,  at  times,  with  it  clasped  in  both 
hands.  On  one  occasion  he  said  to  his  French  nurse, 
*  Je  suis  tres-malade.    Je  suis  pauvre,  miserable  pecheur. 


452 


MEMOIE  OF  REY.  AVILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


mais  par  I'amour  de  Jesus  Christ  qui  est  mort  pour  nos 
peches,  je  serai  sauve.'  The  last  three  words  she  de- 
scribed him  as  saying  most  earnestly,  with  clasped  hands. 
Then  he  ended  by  repeating  the  words,  '  Le  sang  de 
Jesus  Christ  nous  nettoye  de  toute  peche/  And  when 
the  names  of  father,  mother,  and  sisters  fell  on  an  un- 
conscious ear,  the  name  of  Jesus  lighted  up  his  face  with 
a  radiant  smile.  So  passed  away  the  spirit  of  Arthur 
Elliott  into  the  presence  of  that  Saviour  whom  he  had  so 
early  sought  and  so  early  found. 


TO  HIS  ELDEST  DAUGHTER. 

'  Beddingtox  Kectory,  Sept.  1. 

'  Dear  darling  Mary, — I  prayed  that  you  might  have 
a  safe,  prosperous,  and  useful  journey ;  and  now  I  ought 
indeed  to  be  thankful  for  your  letter  just  received.  Do 
tell  Eose  when  she  arrives  that  I  am  very  fond  of  roses. 
I  am  so  glad  to  hear  that  the  rose-bud  is  prospering. 

'  We  have  had  a  glimpse  of  the  dear  Wildmans  again 
— warm  and  bright  as  ever,  and  rejoicing  in  the  hope  of 
the  appearing  of  our  blessed  Lord. 

'  Our  dear  Georgie  has  sailed  for  India.  He  has  a 
brave  spirit  and  a  tender  heart,  and  is,  I  believe,  a  true 
Christian.  May  grace  be  given  him  to  be  '  steadfast,  un- 
movable,  and  ahvays  abounding  in  the  work  o:  the  Lord.' 

'  Will  Islip  have  a  sermon  for  Lancashire  ?  We  are  to 
have  two  next  Sunday  (D.F.)  Some  poor  persons  are 
sending  in  their  pence  beforehand.  One  young  woman, 
apparently  a  servant,  or  a  dressmaker,  brought  Katie  a 


'  LIVE,  WHILE  YOU  LIVE.' 


453 


sovereign  at  tlie  schoolroom  last  nigiit,  and  slipped  it  into 
her  hand  wrapped  up  in  paper. 

'  Row  many  Christians  seem  to  think  that  it  is  indeed 
the  Last  Time.  Good  news  ;  though  the  enemy,  knowing 
his  time  is  short,  may  make  a  great  effort  to  retain  his 
power.  I^ature  is,  alas,  for  him,  but  grace  is  against  him ; 
and  grace  must  reign :  that  also,  is  our  individual  hope 
,Rom.  V.  20,  21).  "Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye."  Love  to 
the  quartette.  W. 

To  the  Same. 

*  Beddixgtox  Eectory,  SejJt.  23. 

'  .  .  .  A  PENITENT  and  believing  sailor  said,  To  save 
such  a  sinner  as  I  am  !  He  shall  neve?-  hear  the  last  of 
it!"  This  expression,  so  frequently  made  use  of  by  un- 
forgiving persons,  never  was,  that  I  know,  applied  in  a 
Christian  sense,  before  this  case.  It  was  remarkably 
scriptural,  for  the  hallelujahs  of  heaven  will  be  eternal. 

'  I  greatly  enjoy  the  honest  tar's  expression,  "  He  shall 
never  hear  the  last  of  it."  We  are  too  apt  to  forget  that 
praise  is  well-pleasing  to  God.  "  '\Alioso  offereth  Me  praise, 
glorifieth  Me  ;"  and  St.  Paul  states  the  same  (Heb.  xiii. 
15).  I  am  thankful  also  for  the  16th  verse:  it  is  a 
wonderful  thing  that  such  sinners  can  please  God.  But, 
"  accepted  in  the  Beloved,"  we  are  "  complete  in  Him." ' 

Since  he  had  begun  to  rally  from  his  attack  of  illness 
in  the  summer,  the  desire  of  his  heart  had  become  intense 
to  preach  again  in  his  own  church.  ISTotwithstanding  the 
doctor's  fears,  he  determined  that  nothing  less  than  the 


454 


MEMOIK  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


hand  of  God  interposing  should  hinder  him  from  making 
the  effort ;  and  all  who  heard  him  were  astonished  by  the 
energy  and  power  with  which  he  delivered  his  Master's 
message. 

His  family  watched  him  with  rejoicing  yet  trembling 
hearts,  as  he  entered  his  pnlpit  once  more ;  but  anxiety 
was  soon  absorbed  in  the  deep  and  thankful  interest  with 
which  they  listened  to  the  thrilling  tones  of  that  beloved 
voice,  as  he  described  the  blessedness  of  Heaven  like  one 
familiar  with  the  customs  of  that  Country. 

As  we  all  left  the  church,  Captain  Forbes,  who  knew 
well  the  risk  of  life  which  had  been  incurred  by  the  exer- 
tion, could  not  help  exclaiming,  '  AVell,  I  never  saw  such 
pluck  !  Our  old  veteran  would  march  up  to  the  cannon's 
mouth  before  us  all  at  the  order  of  his  commander-in-chief, 
and  not  waste  so  much  as  a  thought  upon  danger ! ' 

But  the  effort  so  soon  after  the  exhaustion  of  illness  had 
been  too  great ;  and  the  repetition  of  it  on  the  following 
Sunday  brought  on  a  similar  attack  of  the  heart  to  that 
from  which  he  had  suffered  in  the  summer,  so  that  he  was 
again  laid  by,  to  enter  his  pulpit  no  more ;  although  he 
continued  to  give  addresses  on  scriptural  subjects  from 
his  wheel- chair  in  the  rectory,  or  its  grounds,  where  from 
two  to  five  hundred  persons  from  time  to  time  were  assem- 
bled to  hear  him. 

In  the  preceding  month  of  July,  he  had  written  to  ask 
the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  if  he  might  claim  his  pro- 
mise to  plead  the  cause  of  the  Church  Missionary  Society 
in  Beddington  Church.     The  Archbishop  replied,  '  My 


'  LIVE,  WHILE  YOU  LIVE.' 


455 


dear  friend,  I  should  have  been  delighted  to  preach  for 
you ;  but  my  health  is  failing  so  much  that  I  think  the 
next  place  of  worship  I  shall  enter  will  be — 

"  Where  congregations  ne'er  break  up, 
And  Sabbaths  never  end."  ' 

On  the  6th  of  the  following  month  of  September,  in 
simple  trust  in  his  Saviour,  and  in  perfect  peace,  that 
blessed  Archbishop  passed  into  the  eternal  world ;  leaving 
behind  him  a  name  fragrant  as  '  precious  ointment.' 

TO  HIS  ELDEST  DAUGHTER. 

'  Beddixgtox  Rectory,  Sept.  29,  1862, 
'  Yesteeday  I  addressed  a  full  and  attentive  congrega- 
tion, and  endeavoured  to  point  them  to  something  more 
beautiful  than  anything  to  be  found  on  earth,  from  Eev. 
xxii.  last  part  of  3d  and  whole  of  4th  verse.  I  gave  them 
a  dark  view  of  our  fall  in  the  first  Adam,  but  an  exceed- 
ingly bright  view  of  our  recovery  by  the  second  Adam. 
The  text  shows,  with  reference  to  the  blessed — 

'  1 .  Their  perfect  service.    2.  Their  intimate  fellowship. 
3.  Their  entire  consecration. 
'  Application — 

'1.  AVill  any  say,  "We  will  not  serve  God?"  Pause, 
and  think  of  the  consequence.  Pause  again,  and  think  of 
the  love  that  still  invites  you.  "  Let  the  wicked  forsake 
his  way,  and  the  unrighteous  man  his  thoughts ;  and  let 
him  return  unto  God,  and  He  will  have  mercy  upon  him  ; 
to  our  God,  for  He  will  abundantly  pardon"  (Isa.  Iv.) 

'  2.  Do  any  desire  to  serve  God?     Press  forward 


456  MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

through  difficulties  ;  help  will  come.  Let  those  who  love 
His  service  think  daily  of  the  future  state,  where  there 
will  he  knowledge  without  error,  holiness  without  sin,  and 
happiness  without  alloy.' 


The  following  imaginary  dialogue  was  sent  in  a  letter 
to  Captain  Hay  Forbes,  shortly  after  his  return  to  India, 
and  will  serve  as  a  specimen  of  the  pleasant  way  in  which 
the  grandsire  gave  his  counsel  while  expressing  his  loving 
confidence  : — 

A  Dialogue  on  Christianity  between  tivo  Hindus, 
done  into  English  hj  W.  M. 

'  Dear  friend,  have  you  yet  thought  anything  about  this 
Christianity  which  is  making  such  a  stir  in  our  country?' 

'  N'o  !  for  I  do  not  see  that  the  Christian  religion  is  any 
better  than  our  own.' 

'  I  thought  so  too,  till  one  of  them  put  their  Shaster 
into  my  hands,  which  I  found  to  be  very  beautiful,  teach- 
ing men  to  love  their  Creator,  and  one  another ;  and  that, 
though  they  were  sinners,  there  was  a  Saviour  and  a 
heaven  for  them.  It  is  but  fair  to  judge  of  their  religion 
by  their  Book,  and,  next  to  that,  by  the  conduct  of  those 
who  love  the  Book  and  evidently  desire  to  follow  it.  I 
do  confess  that,  before  I  read  the  Book,  I  was  much  im- 
pressed in  favour  of  it  by  the  conduct  of  some  Christians 
who  were  sincere.  For  instance,  let  me  request  you  to 
look  at  Captain  and  Mrs.  Hay  Forbes  ;  their  just  and  up- 
right conduct ;  their  kindness  to  those  who  are  in  need  or 


'  LIVE,  WHILE  YOU  LIVE.' 


457 


trouble.  Tliey  tell  me  that  there  is  a  throne  of  grace  for 
all  who  approach  it,  sensible  of  their  need ;  and  that  such 
are  sure  to  succeed,  through  their  Eedeemer;  and  that 
mercy  and  grace  lead  to  everlasting  happiness  and  glory. 
I  confess  that  I  begin  to  see  that  it  is  Christianity  that 
can  bless  mankind,  in  life,  in  death,  and  in  eternity. 
Dear  friend,  once  more  let  me  request  you  earnestly  to 
look  at  Captain  and  Mrs.  Forbes,  and  the  Christian  mis- 
sionaries in  our  country,  and  to  read  their  Book.  Their 
Book  calls  true  disciples  "  the  light  of  the  world,"  and 
"the  salt  of  the  earth;"  the  light,  by  their  knowledge; 
the  salt,  by  their  practice.  My  dear  friend,  if  I  could 
work  a  miracle,  I  would  turn  you  into  light  and  salt 
immediately.' 

'  Ha-ha- ha  !  I  believe  you  wish  my  happiness  ;  I  will 
read  and  think,  and  observe  Captain  and  Mrs.  Forbes  all 
the  time  they  are  in  India.    Farewell ! ' 

His  annual  tea-party  for  the  men  of  the  parish  was 
given  on  the  evening  of  the  7th  of  November.  It  hap- 
pened to  be  most  dreary  weather — fog  and  rain, — so  that 
it  would  have  been  a  risk  for  his  health,  had  he  attended 
it.  Still,  so  heartily  had  he  enjoyed  the  anticipation  of 
being  present,  that  it  was  not  until  within  the  last  half 
hour  that  he  relinquished  the  opportunity  of  meeting  so 
large  a  number  of  his  parishioners,  of  witnessing  their 
pleasure,  and  of  pleading  with  them  for  their  eternal 
profit.  When  he  found  that  it  would  be  really  imprudent 
to  go,  he  wrote  the  following  letter,  to  be  read  to  them  by 
one  of  his  curates  : — 


458 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


'Nov.  1th,  1862. 

'  Dear  Friends,— If  Providence  had  permitted,  I  should 
have  had  great  pleasure  in  meeting  you  this  evening.  I 
shall  be  present  with  you  in  spirit,  and  shall  hope  that  on 
all  your  hearts  the  impression  will  be  made,  that  Chris- 
tianity is  a  kind  and  a  pleasant  religion,  and  that  it 
forbids  no  innocent  pleasures,  but  only  such  as  would  be 
injurious  to  us  as  rational  and  accountable  creatures. 

'  The  book  of  Proverbs  says  of  "  wisdom,"  which  is 
true  religion,  "that  her  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness, 
and  all  her  paths  are  peace."  Alas  !  the  children  of  men, 
in  general,  will  not  walk  in  her  paths,  and  therefore  is 
there  so  great  a  want  of  peace  in  our  world.  I  could  wish 
you,  if  you  have  not  already  done  it,  to  read  that  book 
through,  one  chapter  each  day,  till  you  come  to  the  end ; 
and  if  you  have  done  it,  I  could  wish  you  to  repeat  it.  It 
does  so  clearly  prove  that  "godliness  is  profitable  unto 
all  things,  having  the  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is,  and 
of  that  which  is  to  come." 

'  But  Christianity  brings  out  this  trutli  in  all  its  fulness, 
by  making  known  the  Saviour,  and  making  Him  known 
as  loilling  as  well  as  ahle  to  save.  A  consciousness  of  sin 
may  make  us  doubt,  and  that  remaining  in  the  mind 
might  lead  to  despair.  But  "  it  is  a  faithful  saying,  and 
worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the 
world  to  save  sinners,"  and  He  casts  out  none  who  come 
to  Him.  It  was  a  wise  reflection  of  a  poor  man  called 
Joseph,  who  was  but  half-witted,  "  Jesus  Christ  came 
into  the  world  to  save  sinners !  Poor  J oseph  is  a  sin- 
ner ;  therefore  Jesus  Christ  came  into  the  world  to  save 


'  LIVE,  WHILE  YOU  LIVE.' 


459 


poor  Joseph."  Behold,  therefore,  we  bring  yon  "  glad  tid- 
ings of  great  joy for  this  Sa^donr  is  preached  to  you, 
His  atoning  blood  takes  away  all  sin,  and  His  inter- 
cession in  heaven  keeps  the  way  open  for  the  honourable 
exercise  of  mercy  ;  hence,  if  we  confess  our  sins,  God  is 
faithful  and  just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us 
from  all  unrighteousness." 

'  Oh,  never  get  tired  of  a  book  that  contains  such  good 
news ;  and  remember  that  our  heavenly  Father  will  give 
the  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask  Him.-^  .... 

'  Dear  friends,  well  may  we  exclaim,  "  ^Yho  is  a  God 
like  unto  Thee,  that  pardoneth  iniquity,  and  delighteth  in 
mercTj!'  And  we  should  therefore  never  doubt  of  the  suc- 
cess of  our  prayers  for  the  mercy  and  grace  that  we  need, 
till  we  arrive  in  that  land  where  sin,  sorrow,  temptation, 
and  death  are  known  no  more.  I  cannot  close  this  short 
address  without  acknowledoinsj  with  thankfulness  vour 
kind  and  generous  feeling  towards  our  suffering  brethren 
in  the  north,  shown  in  the  liberal  way  you  have  contri- 
buted, and  are  continuing  to  contribute,  for  the  supply  of 
their  wants.^  I  delight  to  subscribe  myself,  in  conjunction 
with  my  beloved  brothers  and  most  useful  helpers,  !Mr. 
Southey  and  Mr.  O'Rorke — Your  affectionate  friend  and 
pastor,  AViLLiAM  Maesh.' 

1  Then  foUo\red  the  story  of  '  Praying  Tom.' — See  pp.  25,  26. 

-  The  men  and  boys  working  at  Mr.  M'Rae's  leather-miU  and  tan- 
nery vohintarily  subscribed  from  25s.  to  27s.  a  week,  as  long  as  the 
distress  continued  in  Lancashire  and  Cheshire  ;  and  scarcely  less  gener- 
ous efforts  were  made  by  others  in  the  parish  who  worked  for  their 
bread,  and  by  the  children  of  the  schools. 


460 


^lEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MAESH,  D.D. 


It  was  in  the  month  of  November  1862  that  he  bade 
farewell  to  his  beloved  grandchild,  Honoria  Forbes  and 
her  husband,  on  their  return  to  India — a  parting  he 
keenly  felt.  He  took  leave,  about  the  same  time,  of  Mr. 
Frederick  Wathen,  a  young  clergyman,  known  to  him 
from  childhood,  who,  after  finishing  his  blameless  and 
useful  career  at  Oxford,  gave  himself  up  to  the  work 
upon  which  his  heart  had  long  been  set — a  missionary's 
life  in  India.  His  devoted  service  there  was  shortly 
brought  to  a  close  by  a  fatal  fever,  during  which  he  was 
nursed  with  brotherly  tenderness  by  Captain  Forbes 
whilst  his  gentle  wife  soothed  and  supported  the  sor- 
rowing heart  of  her  who  was  soon  to  be  left  desolate. 

When  the  young  missionary  had  passed  away,  leav- 
ing this  as  his  dying  testimony,  *  I  am  at  perfect  peace 
with  God ;  Christ  has  washed  away  all  my  sins/ — the 
faithful  wife,  who  had  gone  out  with  brave  and  cheer- 
ful heart  to  follow  him  through  dangers,  and  nurse  him 
in  sickness,  came  on  her  lonely  way  back  to  England,  a 
widow  with  her  orphaned  babes,  within  three  years  of 
her  marriage. 

The  loving  mother,  who  with  Christian  self-forgetful- 
ness  had  fostered  her  son  s  noble  purpose  of  life  from  his 
childhood,  bore  the  sorrow  of  his  death  Avitli  a  holy  acqui- 
escence in  the  will  of  her  God.  She  did  not  long  survive 
him.  Within  a  year,  her  life  of  piety  and  usefulness  on 
earth  was  exchanged  for  the  rest  that  remaineth  for  the 
people  of  God. 


'  LIVE,  WHILE  YOU  LIVE.' 


4G1 


TO  HIS  ELDEST  DAUGHTER. 

'  Beckexiiam  Eectory,  Dec.  6. 
'  Daelixg  Maey, — .  ...  A  bow  shot  at  a  venture  does 
execution.    We  never  shoot  the  right  arrow  altogether  in 
vain. 

'You  will  like  to  read  the  delightful  letter  enclosed, 
from  Henry  Clarke,  one  of  the  first  of  our  young  friends 
at  Addiscombe.  He  is  anotlier  of  the  frequent  instances 
T  have  observed  of  the  sons  of  Christian  mothers,  on 
vv'hom  a  peculiar  blessing  has  rested  from  their  youth 
upward. 

*  Cummmg's  book  on  the  Great  Tribulation,  like  all 
his  works,  is  very  interesting.  It  may  be  that  the  time 
of  that  tribulation  is  at  hand,  and  it  may  be  very  terrible. 
But  it  will  usher  in  a  great  ecstasy  of  joy  to  those  who 
trust  alone  in  Jesus. 

"  E'en  then  shall  this  be  all  my  plea  : 
Jesus  has  lived  aud  died  for  me." 

Tliat  name  opens  heaven's  doors  immediately.' 


CHAPTEE  XYI. 


THE  THKESHOLD  OF  HEAVEN. 

He  hath  been  near  unto  the  golden  gate ; 
Serene  he  waited  for  his  Master's  calling  : 
It  came, — "  A  little  longer  thou  must  wait, 
The  sands  of  life  have  not  yet  ceased  their  falling." 

Servant  of  God  !  thou  hast  not  long  to  stay ; 
Soon  the  weak  bonds  that  hold  thee  here  shall  sever ; 
Then  shalt  thou  gaze  upon  the  perfect  day, 
And  Him  thou  lovest,  for  ever  and  for  ever.' 


THE  THEESHOLD  OF  HEAYEX. 


On  the  last  night  of  the  year  1862,  my  father  vv'as 
seized  with  a  sudden  attack  of  the  heart.  It  was  the 
commencement  of  a  long  and  severe  illness.  The  dan- 
gerous s}TQptoms  increased  with  such  rapidity  that,  from 
the  evening  of  the  5tli  of  January  until  noon  of  the 
following  day,  his  family,  with  his  doctor,  watched  beside 
him,  fearing  that  each  hour  must  be  his  last.  During 
that  night — for  us,  full  of  anguish  and  suspense,  for  him, 
of  serene  calm  and  holy  joy,  there  flowed  from  his  lips  a 
stream  of  heavenly  teaching,  to  which  those  around  him 
listened  with  wondering  admiration.^ 

At  first  his  thoughts  were  dwelling  on  the  song  of  the 
aged  Simeon,  and,  in  a  voice  which  rang  through  the 
silence  of  midnight,  he  exclaimed,  '  Lord,  now  lettest 
Thou  Thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  for  mine  eyes  have 
seen — mine  eyes  have  seen — mine  eyes  have  seen  Thy 
SALVATION  1"'  and,  turning  to  us,  he  added,  'and  this 

^  His  eldest  daughter  was  occupied  during  four  hours  of  that  night 
in  writing  down,  unseen  by  him,  the  words  that  fell  from  his  Hps. 

2  G 


466 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


salvation  is  for  you  all.'  A  little  while  later  he  quoted 
the  hymn — 

'  But  timorous  mortals  start  and  shrink 
To  cross  that  narrow  sea.' 

*  Why  should  they  ? '  he  exclaimed.  '  They  may  go 
over  Jordan  dry-shod.' 

Then  lifting  his  eyes  and  hands  to  heaven,  he  said, — 

'  Blessed  Saviour, — 
Washed  in  Thy  Blood, 
Clothed  in  Thy  Righteousness, 
Prepared  by  Tby  Spirit, 
Employed  in  Thy  Service, 
E-eceived  into  Thy  Kingdom, 
Praise,  praise  be  to  Thee  !' 

He  quoted  the  words,  '  Looking  unto  Jesus,'  add- 
ing— 

'  Look  and  live  ; 
Look  and  love  ; 
Look  and  obey ; 
Look  and  be  happy  ; 
Look  and  follow  Him  ; 
Look  and  go  to  Heaven.' 

Children  and  grand-children  had  gathered  around  him 
for  last  blessings  and  last  looks  of  love.  But  he  was  yet 
again  to  be  raised  up  from  the  very  gate  of  death,  or 
rather  it  seemed  to  us  that  he  awaited  his  Master's  call  at 
the  gate  of  heaven,  and  when  the  order  came,  '  Tarry  thou 
the  Lord's  leisure,'  he  turned  back  at  that  bidding  to 
eairth  once  more ;  as  if  to  let  us  gain  some  idea  by  the 
shining  of  his  face  how  those  who  are  counted  worthy  to 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAVEN. 


467 


stand  before  the  Son  of  Man  '  are  made  like  imto  Him, 
when  they  see  Him  as  He  is.'  ^ 

But  his  recovery  was  subject  to  frequent  relapses ;  and 
during  the  night  of  February  the  4th,  my  sister  and  I  were 
anxiously  watching  by  his  side  during  severe  suffering  in 
his  chest  and  palpitation  of  the  heart.  Suddenly  he 
mastered  his  faltering  breath  to  say,  '  Oh,  m?j  Saviour  1  who 
didst  suffer  for  my  sins,  Thou  wast  alone  in  Thine  agony. 
Thou  hadst  no  words  of  loviuQ-  comfort  said  to  Thee.  I 
r/iust  weep'  (his  tears  were  falling).  '  I  am  standing  with 
the  Marys  at  the  foot  of  Thy  cross.  0  blessed,  blessed 
Jesus,  how  Thy  heart  must  have  beat  till  Thou  saidst,  "  It 
IS  FINISHED  1"  But  it  is  C£uiet  now.  It  has  been  at  rest 
these  eighteen  hundred  years  ;  and  it  will  be  at  rest  for  ever. 
Oh,  I  am  so  glad — I  am  so  glad  it  was  all  over  eighteen 
hundred  years  ago,  when  Thou  saidst,  "  It  is  finished  !" 
The  claims  of  justice  met — the  law  magnified — the  door 
opened — the  types  fulhUed — the  prophecies  accomplished 
— the  atonement  completed — mankind  redeemed — It  is 
finished  !    Let  all  the  angels  of  God  worship  Thee  !' 

^  This  was  the  week  which  had  been  set  apart  by  many  Christians, 
throughout  the  world,  for  special  prayer.  Amongst  other  places  opened 
for  a  similar  i)iiri)ose  in  London,  a  daily  prayer-meeting  was  held  at 
Freemasons'  Hall.  To  the  chairman  of  this  assembly  a  note  was  for- 
warded from  Dr.  Marsh's  family  to  request  him  to  ask  those  gathered 
together  to  plead  with  God  that,  if  it  would  best  promote  His  glory 
and  the  good  of  His  Church,  that  beloved  life  might  jet  be  spared 
for  a  season.  This  petition  was  read,  and  one  who  was  jjresent  at  the 
time  wrote  :  — '  Your  request  seemed  to  find  a  response  from  almost 
every  soid  there.  If  you  had  heard  the  "  Amen"  from  coimtless  voices, 
it  would  have  strengthened  your  hearts. 

From  that  hour  he  began  to  revive.  '  Women  received  their  dead 
raised  to  life  again.' 


468  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

After  a  time,  ease  was  mercifully  granted,  and  we  heard 
liini  hushing  himself  to  sleep  with  sweet  fragments  of 
joyful  thoughts.  The  last  we  caught  was,  '  My  Saviour, 
my  righteousness,  my  hapjjiness,  my  heaven,  my  Lord, 
my  God,  my  Glory.' 

On  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  January  he  called  me 
to  his  side  and  said,  '  Tell  me  which  text  in  the  Bible  is 
a  fountain  of  good  to  the  guilty  ?' 

'  Is  it  tliis,'  I  asked, — '  "  Tlie  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  His 
Son  cleansetli  ns  from  all  sin"  ? ' 

*  That  is  the  meritorious  cause — but  not  the  Fountain. 
Shall  I  tell  it  to  you?  It  is  in  the  16th  verse  of  the  3d 
chapter  of  the  Gospel  of  St.  John, — "  God  so  loved  the 

WORLD,  THAT  TIe  GAVE  HiS  ONLY  BEGOTTEN  SON,  THAT 
WHOSOEVER  BELIEVETH  IN  HiM  SHOULD  NOT  PERISH,  BUT 

HAVE  Everlasting  Life." 

'  In  that  way  justice  and  love  are  reconciled.  It  would 
have  been  inconsistent  with  the  purity  and  integrity  of 
the  Divine  Government  to  forgive  the  sinner  without  an 
atonement.  By  providing  an  atonement,  and  that  through 
the  sacrifice  of  the  Son  of  God  Himself,  a  further  view 
was  given  of  the  wonders  of  Divine  love.  What  an 
exhibition  of  love  was  the  crucifixion  of  the  Saviour — 
God  sacrificing  Himself  in  the  Manhood  for  mankind. 
Creating,  preserving,  providing  love,  is  not  love  in  the 
highest  sense — the  essence  of  love  is  self-sacrifice. 

'  And  this  will  be  manifested  to  the  universe.  "  Which 
things  the  angels  desire  to  look  into ;"  and  they  will  be 
permitted  to  do  so.  "  That  unto  principalities  and  powers 
in  heavenly  places  might  be  known  by  the  Church  the 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAYEX. 


469 


manifold  wisdom  of  God."  ^Vho  shall  put  a  limit  to  the 
effect  of  awe,  adoration,  and  holiness,  which  shall  be  pro- 
duced throughout  creation  by  the  knowledge  of  the  whole 
of  the  Divine  plan  and  of  its  success,  when  the  final 
victory  of  this  battle-field — the  world,  is  won,  and  the 
proclamation  of  it  is  sounded  to  the  utmost  limit  of 
creation. 

'  There  is  an  answer,  therefore,  in  two  words,  to  all 
sceptical  doubts, 

"  Eternity  and  the  Universe." 

'  The  first — because  it  may  well  take  an  Eternity  for 
the  Infinite  God  to  reveal  Himself  to  finite  man  ;  and  the 
last — because  the  whole  Universe  will  be  benefited  by 
God's  dealings  with  our  world. 

'  All  mistakes  touching  the  cliaracter  of  God  arise  from 
a  want  of  trust  in  His  own  revelation  of  Himself  in  these 
words,  "  God  is  Love." 

'  Here  is  the  great  battle  between  Eaitli  and  Unbelief. 

'  Some,  to  reconcile  things  in  the  Eevealed  AA'ord, 
which  seemed  to  them  inconsistent  with  their  human  and 
therefore  limited  ideas  of  a  God  of  Love,  have  chosen  to 
believe  but  in  part,  or  to  reject  revelation  altogether ;  in- 
stead of  humbly  yet  wisely  waiting  for  the  Infinite  God  to 
explain  Himself  in  the  fulness  of  time,  and  throughout 
the  duration  of  Eternity.' 

'  I  like  that  saying,  "  Sin,  sin,  what  hast  thou  done  1" 
'  But  I  like  this  saying  better,  Saviour,  Saviour,  what 
hast  Thou  done 


470 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


'  That  is  a  beautiful  description  given  by  St.  Paul, 
"  The  express  image  of  His  person."  What  the  Son  of 
God  is,  let  the  sons  try  to  be — let  them  imitate  the 
character  of  God.    God  is  Love. 

'  One  comes  and  says  to  Him,  "  But  I  have  sinned 
against  you."  "  And  I  have  forgiven  you !  And  I  will 
bring  you  to  a  world  where  you  shall  sin  no  more."  "  I 
should  like  not  to  sin  any  more  in  thought,  or  word,  or 
deed."    "  You  are  a  pleasant  child.    Go  in  peace." 

'  "  Be  ye  therefore  perfect,  even  as  your  Father  which 
is  in  heaven  is  perfect."  I  do  not  think  it  means  sinless 
perfection,  but  imitation  ;  you  will  see  the  context  is  that 
we  are  to  do  as  our  Father  in  heaven  does,  "  who  maketh 
His  sun  to  shine  on  the  evil  and  on  the  good."  "  I  will 
not  give  up  that  text  to  John  Wesley.  If  we  had  a  walk 
together,  I  would  say — "  I^ow,  Wesley,  there 's  a  wicked 
man,  I  am  going  to  give  him  something ;  I  would  be  a 
perfect  man  !  That  man  has  spoken  ill  of  me,  and  treated 
me  ill,  notwithstanding  I  had  show^n  kindness  to  him  and 
to  his  family.  I  will  give  him  a  ten-pound  note."  Then 
the  poor  man  says,  "  Oh,  I  '11  never  speak  ill  of  him  again  ; 
I  '11  tell  every  one  to  whom  I  abused  him  of  this  ten- 
pound  note !" 

'  This  is  love.  "  If  God  so  loved  us,  we  ought  also  to 
love  one  another." ' 

In  one  of  his  last  attacks  of  palpitation,  as  it  was  pass- 
ing off  he  seemed  much  oppressed  in  spirit.  My  sister 
asked  him,  '  Does  any  particular  thought  trouble  you  V 
— '  Yes.     I  have  two  scenes  before  me, — sin,  and  my 


THE  THEESHOLD  OF  HEAYEX. 


471 


Saviour ;  Calvary,  and  the  glory  to  be  revealed.  And 
they  are  too  much  for  me.  I  look  at  the  one,  and  I  feel 
as  if  my  heart  would  break  for  sorrow.  I  turn  to  the 
other,  and  it  is  ready  to  burst  with  joy.' 

In  one  of  his  wakeful  nights,  he  was  overheard  saying, 
'  Beautiful!'  On  being  asked  of  what  he  was  thinking, 
he  replied,  '  Of  that  prayer  in  the  Litany,  "  By  Thine 
agony  and  bloody  sweat,  by  thy  cross  and  passion,  by  Thy 
precious  death  and  burial,  by  Thy  glorious  resurrection 
and  ascension,  and  by  the  coming  of  the  Holy  Ghost — 
good  Lord  deliver  us !"  And  I  have  made  a  little  com- 
mentary upon  it, — "  Deliver  us  from  the  guilt  and  power 
and  love  and  practice,  and  finally  from  the  existence  of 
aU  sin  1"  ' 

Soon  afterwards  he  added,  '  I  think,  if  I  were  a  Dis- 
senter, and  read  the  Litany,  I  should  become  a  Church- 
man, or  at  least  adopt  those  pra}' ers  !  For  many  years 
past  I  have  prayed  the  prayer  for  "  all  conditions  of  men," 
just  before  going  to  sleep,  every  night.  The  chapter  which 
I  usually  repeat  then  is  the  14th  of  St.  John.  By  it  the 
Lord  bids  His  people  to  '  rest  in  His  love."  ' 

One  morning,  when  he  was  getting  better,  alluding  to 
the  comforts  by  which  he  was  surrounded,  he  said,  with 
clasped  hands,  '  Thanks  for  food  and  raiment,  fitting  and 
convenient ;  and  thanks  far  more  for  robes  of  Pdghteous- 
ness  and  garments  of  Salvation  !  Covered  with  the  justify- 
ing robes  of  a  Saviour's  righteousness,  and  adorned  with 
the  garments  of  Salvation  wrought  by  the  Holy  Spirit ; 
and  both  coming  from  and  delighted  in  by  God  the 
Father ! 


472 


MEMOIR  OF  REY.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


*  It  has  been  one  of  the  errors  of  the  Chnrch  of  Eome, 
to  blend  the  two  in  one,  until  she  lost  sight  of  the  com- 
pleteness and  perfection  of  the  Title.  The  one  is  entirely 
the  work  of  the  blessed  Eedeemer ;  and  our  only  ground 
of  meritorious  Title.  The  other  is  the  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  moulding  us  more  and  more  unto  the  likeness  of 
Christ,  which  becomes  our  meetness  for  the  Heavenly 
Inheritance ;  "  Who  hath  made  us  meet  for  the  Inherit- 
ance of  the  Saints  in  Light." 

/  *  Let  us  remember,  therefore,  that  there  is  the  meetness 
.  of  merit,  ALL  through  Christ  ;  and  the  meetness  of  fitness, 
\  through  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit.' 

Another  morning,  whilst  I  was  giving  him  his  break- 
fast, he  said  to  me,  '  Would  you  like  to  hear  my  boasting  ? 
I  can  boast  of  thirty-three  years  without  spot  of  sin, 
;    within  or  without !' 

He  looked  at  me  earnestly,  to  see  if  I  had  caught  his 
i    meaning ;  and  so  I  replied  to  him  in  the  words  of  an  old 
i    hymn,  in  Avhich  the  Saviour  is  supposed  to  be  speaking  to 
the  sinner, — 

1  '  MINE  all-sufiicient  merits 

Shall  appear 
Before  the  Throne  of  Glory 

In  thy  stead. 
I  '11  put  into  thy  story 
f  What  I  did: 

j 

i  '  Eight !'  he  rejoined,  '  He  is  mine,  who  so  passed  his 
I  years  on  earth  :  thus  His  spotless  life  on  earth  is  mine  : 
I  His  righteousness  is  mine.  "  He  of  God  is  made  unto 
^  us  wdsdom,  and  righteousness,  and  sanctification,  and  re- 
.  demption." ' 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAVEX. 


473 


'  I  think  our  taste  for  the  beautiful  will  be  gratified  to 
the  uttermost  in  another  woild.  How  lovely  is  the  de- 
scription of  the  Xew  Jerusalem  1  And  when  I  think  of 
those  words  of  the  blessed  Saviour,  "  father,  I  icill  that 
they  also  ichom  Thou  hast  given  me  he  ivith  me  ichere  I  am, 
that  they  may  behold  My  glory,"  I  can  believe  that  the 
house  that  holds  Him  must  be  glorious  too.  And  He  is 
preparing"  it  for  us! 

'  "  My  thirsty  spirit  faints 

To  see  the  Land  I  love  ; 
The  bright  inheritance  of  saints, 
Jerusalem  above." 


'  "  Then  shall  I  see,  and  hear,  and  know, 
All  I  desired  or  sought  below  ; 
And  every  power  find  sweet  employ 
In  that  eternal  world  of  joy." 

'  I  have  been  thinking  much  of  a  volume  in  a  word. 
Brightness  of  the  Father's  gior}\    Xot  merely  Likeness, 
but  Brightness." ' 

'  Divine  love  differs  from  all  human  love  in  this,  that 
human  love  sees  something  amiable  in  the  creature,  dis- 
cerns a  similarity,  finds  somewhat  to  sympathize  with ; 
but  Divine  love  is  "  whilst  we  were  yet  sinners  !"' 

When  speaking  out  of  the  abundance  of  his  love  to 
his  children,  touching  '  the  fellowship  of  heart  there  had 
been  between  himself  and  them,'  he  added,  '  How  tenderly 
and  sacredly  you  have  kept  the  Fifth  Commandment.  It 
is  the  link  between  heaven  and  earth,  between  the  love  to 
God  and  the  love  to  the  neiglibour.' 


474  MEMOIE  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

'  "  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  which  taketh  away  the  sin 
of  the  world."  How  vast  is  redemption  !  We  shall  never 
know  hoiu  great  its  extent  nntil  we  see  the  final  result. 
Nor  even  then !  for  St.  John  tells  us,  that  the  redeemed 
will  be  "  a  great  multitude  which  ow  man  can  number." 
And  they  will  be  "  out  of  every  kindred,  and  tongue,  and 
people,  and  nation."  That  must  include  all  heathen  nations, 
as  w^ell  as  others.  "The  blood  of  sprinkling,  which  speak- 
eth  better  things  than  that  of  Abel,"  which  cries  from  the 
ground  for  pardon  for  the  earth  on  which  it  was  shed,  may 
/  sprinkle  and  plead  for  unconscious  numbers  who  are  "feel- 
'  ing  after  God."  They  may  go  to  sleep  in  dull  twilight, 
and  awake  up  in  the  brightness  of  the  Sun  of  Eighteous- 
ness.' 

'  Human  nature  is  redeemed.  Amongst  those  who 
liave  had  the  opportunity  of  knowing  this,  they  only  are 
benefited  who  believe  it.  "  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  He 
gave  His  only  begotten  Son,  that  ivJiosoever  believeth  in  Him 
should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life."  That  is  dis- 
tinct. But  St.  John  made  no  exaggerated  statement  when 
he  wrote  by  Divine  inspiration  Eev.  v.  9.' 

After  quoting  the  text,  '  The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  His 
Son  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin,'  he  wrote  down  these 
words,  — 

'  It  is  that  blood  which  justifies'  (Eom.  v.  9). 
'  It  is  that  blood  which  sanctifies'  (Heb.  ix.  13,  14). 
'  It  is  that  blood  which  glorifies'  (Eev.  i.  5,  6). 
'  It  is  that  blood  which  calls  forth  the  hallelujahs  of 
heaven'  (Eev.  v.  11,  12). 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAVEX. 


475 


'  There  are  two  much  greater  objections  to  the  Bible 
than  any  Bishop  Colenso  has  brought  forward:  Isf,  It  is 
too  humiliating  for  man's  pride.  2d,  It  is  too  holy  for 
man's  practice.' 

'  I  have  had  the  presumption  to  make  an  answer  to 
Pope's  well-known  lines, — 

"  For  modes  of  faith  let  senseless  bigots  fight,  ^ 
He  can't  be  wrong  whose  life  is  in  the  right." 

'  It  was  this, — 

'  In  Christian  faith  let  Christian  men  be  strong, 
He  can 't  be  right  whose  faith  is  in  the  wrong.' 

'  I  am  going  to  set  a  task  to  all  who  reject  the  Bible  ;  they 
are  to  write  me  four  chapters  that  will  be  equal  to  the 
1 4th,  1 5th,  1 6th,  and  1 7th  chapters  of  St.  John.  They  will 
deserve  a  great  prize  if  they  write  me  four  better  1' 

The  delight  which  he  always  felt  in  little  children  was 
not  lessened  even  in  his  extreme  illness,  and  to  them  his 
sick-room  seemed  the  happiest  place  in  the  house.  Little 
Malcolm  and  Florence  Forbes,  two  of  his  great-grand- 
children who  were  living  at  the  rectory,  could  scarcely 
be  persuaded  to  pass  the  door  of  his  room,  though  one  of 
them,  who  was  too  young  to  speak,  could  only  hold  out 
her  hands  in  entreaty  to  be  allowed  to  go  to  him.  Their 
happiness  was  complete  when  allowed  to  sit  on  a  pillow 
on  either  side  of  him.  The  earliest  snowdrops,  violets,  and 
primroses  were  gathered  for  him  by  the  little  sons  of  Mr. 


476 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARStl,  D.D. 


and  reverent  looks  to  his  bedside.  Little  Ealpli,  Evelyn, 
and  Harry  Anstruther,  by  their  own  earnest  request,  were 
brought  down  by  their  parents  (on  one  of  their  frequent 
visits)  to  see  their  great-grandfather  when  he  was  danger- 
ously ill.  It  happened  that  he  had  fallen  asleep  just  be- 
fore they  arrived,  but  the  eldest  was  admitted  into  the 
room,  and  quietly  climbed  on  a  sofa  at  the  foot  of  the  bed, 
where  he  could  stand  and  watch  the  placid  face.  On 
awaking,  my  father  stretched  out  his  arms  to  the  child, 
who  sprang  forward  to  meet  his  embrace,  and  for  some 
moments  neither  spoke.  Then  my  father  said,  '  Mayest 
thou  be  satisfied  with  favour,  and  full  with  the  blessing 
of  the  Lord!'  adding,  ^Love  your  Saviour  all  your  days, 
dear  little  Ealph,  remembering  that  He  loves  you.' 

The  other  little  ones  were  now  summoned,  and  each 
received  a  tender  blessing. 

To  one  of  his  grandsons,  who  was  going  to  a  public 
school  that  winter,  he  jjave  a  simple  word  of  advice,  which 
was  well  remembered  and  followed, — '  Do  not,  my  dearest 
Ken,  be  afraid  of  saying,  "  No,"  but  say  it  kindly.' 

TO  STEVENSON  BLACKWOOD,  ESQ. 

'Feb.  lOth. 

'  My  beloved  Brother, — Indeed  I  have  not  forootten 
those  two  verses !  Frequently  have  I  to  resist  the  enemy 
with  them  by  the  help  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

'  I  want  the  power  to  sleep,  and  I  remember  that  it  is 
written,  "  So  He  giveth  His  beloved  sleep."  But  I  say, 
how  is  it  possible  that  I  can  claim  to  be  His  beloved  ? 
Then  I  begin  repeating  to  myself  chaps,  v.,  vi.,  and  viii.  of 


THE  THEESHOLD  OF  HEAVEN. 


477 


the  Epistle  to  the  Eomans.  And  I  find  from  chap.  v.  8, 
that  sinners  may  come  under  the  title  of  beloved.  "  God 
commendeth  His  love  towards  ns,  in  that,  while  we  were 
yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for  lis."  Hence  I  jump  for  joy  at 
chap.  viii.  29  to  the  end,  and  thus  enter  into  the  triumph 
of  verses  38,  39.  And  what  a  triumph  it  is  I  An  unin- 
spired man  could  never  have  written  those  words.  If  you 
had  an  hour  to  spare,  how  glad  I  should  be  if  you  could 
cast  your  eyes  over  the  manuscript  of  my  little  commen- 
tary on  that  epistle,  with  a  pen  and  ink  and  sheet  of  paper 
by  your  side,  making  addenda  et  corrigenda.  My  love  to 
you  and  to  the  dear  Duchess.  Blessings  on  you  both, 
and  on  the  children.  I  shall  love  to  see  you  if  my  life 
be  prolonged  a  little.  And  I  shall  love  to  see  you  vith 
life  prolonged  for  ever,  in  the  presence  of  our  Life,  our 
Love,  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  our  all  in  all. — Yours  ever 
affectionately,  Wm.  Maesh.' 

In  conversing  with  one  of  his  daughters,  he  said, — 
'  The  longer  I  Kve,  the  more  I  see  the  value  of  an  Epi- 
scopal Church  government,  with  parochial  divisions,  but 
this  is  a  preference,  not  an  exclusion.  It  is  not  necessary 
to  the  Christianity  of  a  nation.  When  we  meet  in  heaven 
those  from  whom  we  have  differed  on  such  points,  we  shall 
say,  "  Brother,  brother,  we  were  all  in  the  wrong  ;  all  too 
much  warped  in  our  views  of  the  necessity  of  non-essen- 
tials ! "  Let  the  Gospel  be  preached  and  practised  in  a 
country,  and  blessed  is  that  nation.' 

The  present  Archbishop  of  Canterbur}',  shortly  after 


478  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

entering  upon  the  duties  of  his  diocese,  had  expressed  a 
wish  to  see  my  father.  When  it  was  first  proposed,  he  was 
too  ill  to  be  allowed  to  see  a  stranger,  but  as  soon  as  he 
had  rallied  a  little,  the  Archbishop  came  from  Lambeth. 
My  father  welcomed  him  with  warm  thanks  for  his  kind- 
ness, and  soon  afterwards  said,  '  I  have  a  jewel  for  your 
Grace.  I  put  it  by  when  I  first  heard  of  your  kind  inten- 
tion of  coming  to  see  me.  Will  you  accept  it  ?  You  will 
find  it  in  the  forty- first  chapter  of  Isaiah.  "  Fear  thou 
not ;  for  I  am  with  thee  :  be  not  dismayed ;  for  I  am  thy 
God :  I  will  strengthen  thee ;  yea,  I  will  help  thee ;  yea, 
I  will  uphold  thee  with  the  right  hand  of  My  righteous- 
ness.'" 

'  I  shall  keep  it  as  your  gift,  thankfully  indeed,'  the 
Archbishop  replied ;  '  and  will  you  turn  it  into  a  prayer 
for  me  ? ' 

Then  my  father  spoke  of  the  nearness  of  the  Saviour,  of 
His  tender  kindness  to  the  sinner,  and  His  far  tenderer 
love  to  the  believer ;  of  His  assurance  to  the  sinner,  "  Him 
that  Cometh  unto  Me,  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out ;"  of  His 
encouragement  to  the  believer,  "  For  whosoever  shall  give 
to  drink  unto  one  of  these  little  ones  a  cup  of  cold  water 
only  in  My  name,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  he  shall  in  no 
wise  lose  his  reward." ' 

In  the  course  of  conversation,  the  Archbishop  told  him 
that  he  well  remembered  having  listened  with  delight  to 
his  address  to  the  Jewish  children  some  years  before  at 
Exeter  Hall.  At  the  close  of  tlie  interview,  my  father 
asked  him  for  his  blessing.  The  Archbishop  hesitated, 
saying,  'You  should  rather  bless  me;'  but  on  its  being 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAVEX. 


479 


requested  a  second  time,  he  complied,  pronouncing  the 
blessing  out  of  the  service  for  the  Visitation  of  the  Sick  ; 
and  then  saying,  '  Bless  me  now !  let  me  have  your 
blessing;'  he  knelt  down  by  his  side  and  guided  my 
father's  hands  to  his  head,  reverently  kissing  them  at  the 
close. 

The  visit  produced  a  most  gratifying  impression  on  the 
heart  of  the  beloved  invalid,  and  made  him  even  more 
earnest  in  prayer  than  before,  for  one  holding  so  liigh  and 
responsible  an  office. 

In  the  summer  of  the  previous  year  my  father  had 
offered  a  title  to  orders,  with  the  third  curacy  of  Bedding - 
ton,  to  a  son  of  his  old  and  highly  valued  friend,  Captain 
J.  E.  Gordon,  R.X.,  well  known,  both  in  the  House  of  Com- 
mons and  m  the  country  at  large,  for  his  able  and  fearless 
advocacy  of  Protestant  principles,  and  for  his  earnest  and 
faithful  adherence  to  the  truth  of  God,  in  doctrine  and 
practice.  Mr.  George  Gordon  was  ordained  by  the  Bishop 
of  Winchester  at  Christmas,  and  from  that  time  devoted 
himself  with  almost  filial  reverence  and  affection  to  his 
rector,  by  whom  he  was  beloved  both  for  his  father's 
sake  and  his  own.  After  working  earnestly  for  nearly 
two  years  in  the  parish  of  Beddington,  he  took  a  laborious 
cure  in  London,  and  then  gave  his  services  gTatuitously 
to  the  work  of  the  Church  Missionary  Society  in  India. 
Soon  after  Mr.  Gordon's  ordination,  Mr.  Southey  was 
offered  a  more  permanent  sphere  of  duty,  which  he  saw  it 
right  for  the  sake  of  his  family  to  accept,  though  feeling 
deeply  at  parting  from  my  father.  When  alluding  to  this 
prospect,  he  said,  '  We  must  pray  earnestly  as  well  as 


480  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

seek  diligently  for  a  like-minded  successor.  How  well 
and  how  happily  dear  Southey  and  O'Eorke  have  worked 
together.  However  closely  I  may  keep  the  secret  as  to 
what  my  children  have  been  to  me,  I  must  tell  the  world 
that  it  never  knew  two  better  or  pleasanter  curates !  I 
pray  for  them  daily,  that  as  they  have  been  taught  of  God 
to  say, 

'  Happy  day,  happy  day. 
When  Jesus  washed  my  sms  away  ;" 

They  may  also  be  ever  able  to  add, 

"  He  taught  my  heart  to  vMtch  and  pray, 
And  live  rejoicing  every  day;" 

and  I  pray  for  them  that  they  may  be  kept  from  being  in 
any  way  or  degree  "  corrupted  from  the  simplicity  which 
is  in  Christ.'" 

When  Mr.  Gordon  came  to  see  him,  just  after  his  ordi- 
nation, he  said,  '  You  have  in  your  possession  the  only 
lever  which  can  raise  our  fallen  world  near  to  heaven — 
the  Bible.'  And  a  little  while  afterwards,  '  In  my  mind 
I  have  been  making  a  plan  for  correcting  all  the  mistakes 
made  by  good  Christians.  It  is  to  tell  them  not  to  read 
the  first  three  chapters  of  Ephesians  only,  but  to  read  the 
wdiole  six ;  then  they  will  make  no  mistakes,  or  at  least 
need  not.  It  is  a  partial  comprehension  of  Christianity 
which  is  the  cause  of  all  erroneous  views  concerning  it.' 

He  welcomed  a  visit  from  his  friends  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Samuel  Gurney  towards  the  end  of  January ;  and  as  Mr. 
Gurney  held  his  hand,  he  said  to  him,  '  I  have  greatly 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAVEX. 


481 


enjoyed  your  friendsliip  and  that  of  dear  Mrs.  Gurney. 
Shall  I  give  you  my  short  view  of  Christianity  ?  "  Hence- 
forth I  call  you  not  servants,  but  friends,"  said  our  Lord 
and  Saviour.  Believe  in  Him  as  your  friend — that  is 
faith ;  act  as  His  friend — that  is  practice. 

'  Years  ago  I  heard  one  of  the  Society  of  Friends  say, — 
"  Let  us  seek  for  simplicity  of  intention  and  simplicity  of 
dependence."  I  have  never  forgotten  it,  but  have  prayed 
for  it  constantly.  Intend  only,  intend  all  for  the  glory  of 
the  Lord  Jesus.  Depend  wholly  and  entirely  on  the  help 
of  God  the  Holy  Ghost.' 

Soon  afterwards  he  dictated  the  following  letter  : — 

TO  SA^a'EL  GUEXEY,  ESQ.,  M.P. 

'  My  dear  Friend, — Many  thanks  for  the  valuable 
volume  you  have  sent  me. 

'  Joseph  John  was  a  scholar — Joseph  John  was  a  phi- 
losopher— Joseph  John  was  a  Christian — Joseph  John 
was  an  honour  to  the  community  of  which  he  was  a 
member.  And  what  made  him  such  but  the  Word  and 
the  Spirit  of  God  ? 

'  When  Bishop  Bedell,  an  ardent  Protestant,  but  a  most 
loving  and  benevolent  man,  died,  a  zealous  Eoman 
Catholic  exclaimed,  "  May  my  soul  be  with  Bishop 
Bedell's:" 

*  Joseph  John  was  a  Friend,  and  I  am  a  Churchman, 
but — May  my  soul  be  with  Joseph  John's  ! 

*  If  the  Friends  who  are  readers  of  that  book,  and  the 
younger  members  in  particular,  are  guided  by  it,  they  will 
be  wise,  holy,  and  useful  Christians.' 

2  H 


482 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


During  the  whole  time  of  his  illness  he  received 
many  visits,  not  only  from  old  friends  and  relatives,  but 
also  from  his  curates  and  some  of  his  parishioners.  All 
were  welcomed  with  his  unvarying  sweetness  and  serenity, 
and  received  messages  of  encouragement  and  comfort  from 
his  lips.  His  most  frequent  visitor  was  Mrs.  Laurence,  of 
Beddington,  whose  tender  sympathy  and  constant  thought- 
fulness  for  his  comfort  and  pleasure  had  made  almost  a 
tie  of  relationship  between  them. 

One  day  he  received  a  visit  from  Captain  Harris,  E.N., 
so  well  known  throughout  the  navy,  not  only  for  his  own 
high  standing  as  an  officer,  but  also  for  his  admirable 
training  of  the  cadets,  that  it  had  been  said  by  several 
distinguished  officers  in  the  service,  '  He  has  regenerated 
the  navy.'  He  had  long  been  know^n  to  my  father  by 
character,  and  by  his  encouragement  of  a  voluntary  Bible - 
class,  held  every  evening,  by  about  eighty  of  the  cadets, 
on  board  the  ^  Britannia.'  My  father  had  heard,  w^ith  deep 
interest,  of  the  elevated  moral  tone  resulting  from  these 
meetings,  not  only  amongst  those  who  joined  them,  but 
spreading  in  its  measure  over  the  whole  ship's  company, 
until  gambling,  drinking,  and  swearing  became  almost 
unknown. 

My  father  congratulated  Captain  Harris  warmly  upon 
the  honour  of  having  nurtured,  at  all  risks  and  costs  to 
himself,  this  confession  of  Christ  amongst  the  boys  under 
his  care,  and  added,  '  Would  you  like  to  hear  how  I  class 
the  Church  of  Christ  on  earth? — Apostles,  prophets, 
martyrs,  sufferers  for  Christ's  cause,  missionaries,  ministers, 
and  penitent  believers.    "  Blessed  are  ye  when  men  shall 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAVEN. 


483 


revile  you,  and  persecute  you,  and  shall  say  all  manner 
of  evil  against  you  falsely,  for  My  sake."  "  Eejoice,  and 
be  exceeding  glad,  for  great  is  your  reward  in  heaven."  ' 

Within  two  years  of  this  interview,  that  noble  Chris- 
tian, after  passing  through  a  stormy  time  of  trial,  closing 
with  a  few  days'  painful  illness,  departed  with  triumphant 
joy  into  the  presence  of  his  Saviour. 

My  father  found  great  comfort,  during  the  whole  of  his 
prolonged  illness,  in  the  unwearied  kindness  and  care 
of  his  old  friend  and  doctor,  Mr.  Williams  of  Bromley. 
He  w^as  also  frequently  visited  by  Mr.  Skey,^  whose  cheer- 
ing presence  always  seemed  to  do  scarcely  less  good  than 
his  skilful  remedies.  Never  did  either  of  these  friends 
leave  his  side  without  receiving  a  w^ord  of  heavenly  coun- 
sel, and  unfeigned  was  the  admiration  and  respect  witli 
which  they  both  regarded  him. 

On  one  occasion,  when  prevented  from  coming  himself, 
Mr.  Skey  sent  his  eldest  son,  who  was  associated  with 
him  in  professional  practice.  My  father  was  extremely 
charmed  with  this  gifted  and  attractive  young  man,  and 
spoke  to  him  earnestly  about  making  choice  of  Christ 
without  delay.  He  listened  with  deep  respect  and 
evident  feeling,  and  knelt  whilst  my  father  prayed  for  a 
blessing  upon  him.^ 

^  President  of  the  Royal  College  of  Surgeons. 

-  He  was  then  in  the  flower  of  his  manhood,  with  apparently  a  long 
aad  successful  career  opening  before  him,  to  add  celebrity  to  a  name 
already  made.  He  could  have  thought  as  little  that  morning  as  we 
did  that  his  life  was  numbered  by  days,  and  Avould  end  without  a 
moment's  warning. 

It  was  not  known  or  imagined,  until  after  his  death,  that  he  had 


484  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

At  the  early  part  of  this  lingering  illness,  my  father 
had  commenced  dictating  to  the  beloved  grand- daughter 
who  constantly  resided  with  him,  and  whose  mind  and 
feelings  so  blended  with  his  own  that  she  could  almost 
anticipate  his  thoughts,  a  brief  exposition  of  St.  Paul's 
Epistle  to  the  Eonians.  His  mind  had  for  a  long  time 
dwelt  much  on  this  epistle ;  and  as  the  attacks  from 
which  he  suffered  increased  in  severity  and  danger,  his 
anxiety  not  to  leave  this  little  work  unfinished  increased 
also. 

Most  touching  was  it  to  see  him,  during  the  intervals 
of  comparative  ease,  exerting  himself  to  dictate  a  few 
sentences,  for  this  his  last  opportunity  of  spreading 
through  the  press  the  knowledge  of  the  gospel  of  the 
grace  of  God.  Several  times  he  pursued  the  labour, 
which  to  him  seemed  only  a  mental  recreation,  until  an 
attack  of  palpitation  obliged  him  to  desist.  So  earnest 
was  his  interest  in  this  work,  that  his  doctor  thought  that 
the  energy  of  his  desire  to  complete  it  might  even  be  the 
means  of  prolonging  his  life.  When  told  that  the  imme- 
diate danger  of  his  illness  was  past,  it  mingled  with  his 
reasons  for  thankful  content  in  the  prospect  of  lingering 
for  a  season  on  earth,  as  soon  as  he  knew  that  such  was 
the  will  of  his  Lord.  '  It  will  be  delightful,'  he  said,  '  to 
serve  my  Master  and  Saviour  for  a  little  longer  on  earth, 

begun  to  bear  liis  testimony  for  Christ.  A  patient  from  St.  Bartho- 
lomew's Hospital,  who  came  to  Beckenham  E.ectory,  when  lamenting 
over  his  early  removal,  said,  *  How  he  will  be  missed  !  he  was  so  kind 
and  good.  And  when  a  patient  lay  dying,  he  would  stand  by  his  side 
and  say,  "  There  is  a  Saviour  who  died  for  us  all.  You  had  better 
j)ut  your  trust  in  Him,  and  then  you  will  be  all  right." 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  KEAVEX. 


485 


and  to  make  my  beloved  ones  happy  again adding,  in 
his  own  bright  and  playful  manner,  '  and  now  I  can 
finish  my  Eomans  1' 

It  was  finished  early  in  the  summer  of  that  year ;  but 
was  kept  beside  him,  during  the  brief  remainder  of  his 
life,  for  occasional  enriching  with  some  fresh  thought  or 
quotation,  and,  above  all,  for  prayer  for  blessing  upon  it. 

He  sent  the  manuscript  to  be  overlooked  by  two 
friends  on  whose  opinion  he  set  a  high  value, — the  Eev. 
Charles  Goodhart,  of  Park  Chapel,  Chelsea,  whom  he 
loved  with  the  heartiest  sympathy  and  regard,  and 
counted  as  one  of  the  noblest  of  the  witnesses  for  God 
and  His  Truth  in  our  country  ;  and  the  Eev,  T.  Lloyd 
Phillips,  one  of  Mr.  Chalmers'  curates,  and  for  some  time 
editorial  secretary  of  the  Bible  Society ;  from  whose  clear 
intellect  and  sound  judgment  he  coveted  criticisms  for  his 
work,  as  truly  as  he  prized  the  regard  and  affection  which 
made  light  of  any  trouble  which  could  render  him  a 
service. 

My  father  had  lost  nothing  of  the  vividness  of  his  in- 
terest in  all  public  matters,  especially  as  connected  with 
the  concerns  of  his  Master's  kingdom. 

The  marriage  of  the  Prince  and  Princess  of  Wales 
occupied  his  heart  with  tender  enthusiasm.  He  was  the 
first  to  propose  plans  for  keeping  the  day,  with  general 
rejoicings,  at  Beddington,  and  a  subscription  for  a  dinner 
for  the  poor  of  his  parish.  After  a  part  of  one  of  his 
wakeful  nights  had  been  spent  in  earnest  supplication  for 
a  blessing  on  the  royal  bride  and  bridegroom,  he  composed 
the  following  prayer,  to  be  distributed  amongst  his  friends, 


48G 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


and  all  the  parishioners  of  Beddington  and  Beckenham, 
with  an  earnest  request  that  the  subject  of  it  should  be 
constantly  remembered  before  God  : — 

A  PRAYER  FOR  THE  PRINCE  AND  PRINCESS  OF  WALES. 

'  Almighty  and  most  merciful  Father,  we  thank  Thee, 
amongst  innumerable  blessings,  for  great  national  mercies, 
for  the  free  use  of  Thy  Holy  Scriptures,  and  the  faithful 
preaching  of  Thine  everlasting  Gospel. 

'  And  at  this  time,  whilst  Thou  wilt  not  forbid  us  to 
lament  our  great  loss  in  the  death  of  so  wise,  useful,  and 
Christian  a  man  as  the  late  Prince  Consort,  yet  we  thank 
Thee  for  the  manner  in  which  his  children  have  been 
trained. 

'  We  pray  that  the  lieart  of  our  beloved  Queen  may  be 
supported,  and  comforted,  and  stayed  upon  Thee,  her  God, 
and  that  all  her  royal  family  may  be  a  joy  to  her. 

'  We  pray  for  the  Princess  who  is  now  connected  with 
Prussia,  that  Thy  blessing  may  ever  rest  upon  her,  and  on 
her  royal  husband  and  children. 

'  But,  at  this  time,  we  especially  pray  for  His  Eoyal 
Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales.  We  believe  that  Thou 
hast  guided  him  to  make  a  right  choice ;  and  we  pray 
Thee  to  bless  the  young  Princess  whom  Thou  hast  com- 
mitted to  his  care  and  love ;  and  to  grant  that  domestic 
peace,  harmony,  and  love  may  be  their  portion. 

'  Endue  them  with  Thy  Holy  Spirit ;  enrich  them  with 
Thy  Heavenly  Grace  ;  and  prosper  them  with  all  happi- 
ness.    May  they  ever  follow  the  directions  of  Thy  Holy 


THE  THEESIIOLD  OF  HEAYEX. 


487 


Word,  given  to  Husbands  and  to  Wives  ;^  and  be  filled 
with  that  wisdom  whicli  is  profitable  to  direct  under  all 
circumstances.  If  Thou  art  pleased  to  bless  them  with  a 
family,  may  their  children  be  to  them  what  they  have 
been  to  their  honoured  parents,  to  their  joy,  and  for  a 
blessing  to  the  country  (Eph.  vi.  1-3). 

*  We  pray  that  Truth  and  Justice,  Eeligion  and  Piety, 
may  be  ever  established  in  our  land ;  and  that  the  Xation 
may  be  kept  faithful  to  the  glorious  privileges  of  a  Chris- 
tian Sabbath  and  an  open  Bible ;  so  as  to  prize  Thy 
Sabbaths,  and  lorofit  by  Thy  Word,  and  ever  abide  by  the 
Truth  as  revealed  in  it.  Be  Thou  a  wall  of  fire  round 
about  us,  and  the  Glory  in  the  midst  of  us. 

'  Hear  us,  Father  of  ^Mercies ;  and  provide  for  the 
needy,  means  of  obtaining  sustenance;  and  bless  all 
ranks  and  orders  amongst  us,  that  all  may  fill  their  dif- 
ferent stations  to  Thy  Glory  and  the  general  good ;  and  may 
finally  meet  in  that  Kingdom  which  cannot  be  moved, 
wherein  dwelleth  Eighteousness,  free  from  all  sin  and 
sorrow,  and  in  possession  of  perfect  light,  and  love,  and 
joy  for  ever. 

'  0  hear  us,  of  Thine  infinite  Mercy  and  Grace,  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  whom,  with  Thee  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  be  the  praise  for  ever  and  ever.' 

^  See  Ephesians  v.  25  :  '  Husbands,  love  your  wives,  even  as  Christ 
also  loved  the  Cliurcli,  and  gave  Himself  for  it.'  And  1  Peter  iii.  7  : 
'  Likewise,  ye  husbands,  dwell  with  them  according  to  knowledge, 
giving  honour  unto  the  wife,  as  unto  the  weaker  vessel,  and  as  being 
heirs  together  of  the  grace  of  life  ;  that  your  prayers  be  not  hindered.' 

Also  see  Ephesians  v.  22,  23  :  '  Wives,  submit  yourselves  unto  your 
own  husbands,  as  unto  the  Lord.  Let  the  wife  see  that  she  reverence 
her  husband.' 


488 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


On  tlie  24tli  of  April,  after  a  lingering  illness,  little 
Eosamond,  my  brother's  only  child,  fell  asleep  in  her 
Saviour's  arms.  She  had  borne  her  sufferings  with  great 
patience ;  and  a  short  time  before  her  death  she  said,  '  I 
wish  I  were  grown  up,  that  I  might  do  something  to 
please  the  Lord  Jesus.' 

She  was  told  that  she  need  not  wait  to  please  Him 
until  she  was  grown  up,  for  that  she  could  do  so  at 
once  by  obeying  Him,  and  that  He  had  said,  '  Suffer  little 
children  to  come  unto  Me,  and  forbid  them  not.' 

'  Oh,  I  am  so  glad!'  she  replied,  '  for  I  have  come  to 
Him,  I  know.    I  am  so  glad  it  pleased  Him.' 

My  father  was  tenderly  attached  to  the  gentle  and 
lovely  child ;  and  so  deeply  did  he  sympathize  with  her 
bereaved  parents  in  their  great  sorrow,  that  it  occasioned 
a  temporary  return  of  his  illness. 

But  from  the  end  of  the  month  of  April  his  recovery 
was  steady,  and  he  began  to  anticipate  with  great  delight 
the  renewal  of  opportunities  of  speaking  for  his  Master 
to  the  people  committed  to  his  charge. 

One  evening,  after  reading  Bushnell's  sermon  on  '  The 
Power  of  an  Endless  Life,'  he  said  to  Mr.  Chalmers,  '  That 
is  a  great  and  noble  sermon.  Some  of  the  others  in  this 
volume  have  left  an  unsatisfied  feeling  in  my  heart.  They 
display  great  intellect,  but  they  lack  the  sprinkling  of  the 
blood.  There  should  be  no  sermon  ivithout  that.  Never 
should  a  sinner  leave  one  of  our  churches  without  hearing 
of  the  Saviour,  Even  in  preaching  to  real  Christians  who 
required  being  built  up,  and  exhorted,  and  led  on  to 
higher  attainments,  St.  Paul  said,  "  To  write  the  same 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAYEX. 


489 


things  to  you,  to  me  indeed  is  not  grievous,  but  for  you  it 
is  safe."  For  wherever  tliese  are  gathered  together,  there 
may  be  also  some  soul  ready  to  perish, — and  he  might 
perish  before  I  could  have  another  opportunity  of  bidding 
him  "  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  which  taketh  away  the  sin 
of  the  world."  When  I  preach  again,  may  I  preach  Jesus 
more  clearly,  more  freely,  more  persuasively,  than  ever 
before.' 

During  his  illness  he  had  spent  much  thought  and 
prayer  upon  one  who  w^as  at  that  time  very  prominently 
before  the  public — the  Bishop  of  jS^atal;  and  at  length, 
'  while  he  was  musing,  the  fire  burned,'  and  he  could  not 
refrain  from  entering  into  correspondence  with  him.    It  / 
need  scarcely  be  said  that  his  words  of  a^rgument,  warn-  \ 
ing,  and  entreaty  were  written  in  gentle  and  deferential 
though  uncompromising  language.    The  bishop  answered  • 
him  at  some  length,  and  with  most  respectful  courtesy,  ■ 
appearing  to  be  touched  by  the  faith  and  fervour  which  ; 
had  led  an  old  man,  amidst  a  suffering  and  dangerous  | 
illness,  thus  to  lay  to  heart  that  which  he  believed  to  be  f 
the  peril  of  such  views  for  him  who  held  them  and  for  : 
those  who  should  be  led  by  him.  j 
A  few  days  afterwards  the  bishop  enclosed  for  his  ,i 
perusal  a  letter  from  a  working-man  in  Glasgow.    Its  | 
object  was  to  express  thanks,  on  his  own  behalf  and  that 
of  others  of  his  class,  for  the  deliverance  which  Bishop 
Colenso  had  given  to  their  minds  from  the  thraldom  of 
old  prejudices  into  the  unfettered  liberty  of  free  thought  \ 
and  speculation. 

There  was  something  about  the  whole  letter  deeply 


490  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

I  saddening.  The  writer  had  evidently  been  taught  in  his 
'  childhood  from 

'  The  big  ha'  Bible,  once  his  father's  pride,' 

but  now,  leaving  the  simple  faitli  of  those  early  days, 
:  was  wandering  in  the  mazes  of  scepticism,  without  a  light 
<  to  f?uide  him. 

My  father  was  greatly  distressed  by  the  tone  of  the 
;  letter,  and  wrote,  by  that  day's  post,  to  a  Christian  friend 
in  Glasgow,  begging  him  to  go  at  once  and  see  the  man, 
seeking  power  from  the  Holy  Ghost  to  reach  his  heart 
.with  the  message  of  the  gospel  of  life  and  peace — '  God 
so  loved  the  world,  that  He  gave  his  only  begotten  Son, 
,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  Him  should  not  perish,  but 
have  everlasting  life.'  Three  days  later  came  the  solemn 
answer,  '  I  lost  no  time ;  but  my  visit  was  too  late.  The 
.night  before,  the  man  had  died  suddenly.' 


My  father's  thoughts  were  not  a  little  occupied  now  in 
seeking  for  a  successor  to  his  curate,  Mr.  Southey,  and 
he  wrote  to  one  of  his  daughters  as  follows  : — 

'  How  much  we  shall  miss  dear  Southey  and  his  active 
and  useful  wife.  It  will  be  difficult  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
Let  us  take  the  surest  way  to  find  that  for  which  we  are 
seeking — by  going  to  Heaven  for  the  right  man.  "  Ask, 
and  it  shall  be  given  you."  But  as  we  are  also  to  use 
means,  you  shall  write  for  me  to  the  friends  of  whose 
names  I  send  you  a  list,  and  inquire  whether  they  know 
of  a  suitable  curate. 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAYEX. 


491 


'  I  wish  for  one  wlio,  besides  the  great  points  required, 
would  be  a  pleasant  fellow-worker  with  my  dear  O'Eorke, 
who  has  been  invaluable  both  to  the  parish  and  to  myself. 
And  I  cannot  forget  that  he  refused  a  good  living  from 
our  late  beloved  Archbishop  to  remain  with  me  ;  although, 
had  I  known  it  in  time,  I  could  not  have  allowed  him 
to  do  so.  .  .  . 

'  Last  night  I  found  out  the  essence  of  Christianity  in 
three  short  sentences:  "My  Master;"  "My  Lord  and 
my  God     "  Thou  knowest  that  I  love  Thee." 

'  "  My  Master,"  whom  I  delight  to  serve. 

'  "  My  Lord,  and  my  God,"  in  whom  I  trust  for  time 
and  for  eternity. 

'"Thou  knowest  that  I  love  Thee;"  Thy  character. 
Thy  sayings.  Thy  government.  Thy  salvation,  and  Thy 
person. 

'  .  .  .  .  Bless  thee,  my  darling,  for  going  over  to  do  my 
work  amongst  my  dear  poor  people.  Yet  I  miss  my 
tender  nurse,  and  long  for  thy  return  to-morrow. 

'  Thy  dearly  loving  father,  William  Maesh. 

'  They  are  all  taking  the  greatest  care  of  me,  and  "  keep- 
ing me  in  cotton  wool !"' 

His  prayers  touching  the  additional  assistant  in  the 
parish  were  answered  to  his  heart's  desire.  Mr.  O'Eorke 
mentioned  to  him  that  it  was  possible  Mr.  French  of  Agra, 
who  had  returned  from  India  for  his  health,  might  like 
such  a  charge.  My  father  eagerly  responded  to  tlie  sug- 
gestion ;  and  shortly  afterwards  Mr.  French  began  his 


492  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

work  at  Beddington.  There  followed  a  time  of  united, 
earnest,  and  prayerful  work,  and  of  true  and  kappy  com- 
munion of  spirit  between  Mr.  French,  Mr.  O'Eorke,  and 
Mr.  Gordon.  To  my  father  the  pleasure  of  their  society 
was  only  second  to  the  comfort  and  joy  of  having  all  his 
plans  for  the  good  of  the  parish  carried  out  by  men  of 
no  common  gifts  and  devoted  piety. 

His  return  to  Beddington,  after  so  severe  and  prolonged 
an  illness,  was  hailed  with  more  than  usual  expressions 
of  joy. 

The  school  children  stood  outside  his  library  window, 
singing  a  welcome ;  and  he  found  the  rectory  adorned 
with  the  choicest  flowers,  brought  thither  and  arranged 
with  thoughtful  care  by  Mrs.  Laurence,  and  the  two  Miss 
Ferrers,  daughters  of  a  former  rector,  who  had  remained 
as  residents  in  the  parish. 

To  save  him  the  fatigue  of  going  upstairs,  his  bed,  with 
its  white  curtains  and  sky-blue  quilt,  was  now  placed  in 
the  old  oak-pannelled  library,  just  where  he  could  see, 
through  the  oriel  window,  round  which  white  roses  hung 
in  clusters,  the  gay  flower-beds  on  the  smooth  green, 
lawn,  and  the  shady  little  fir  ^vood  which  led  into  the 
field  beyond. 

The  summer  passed  away  calmly  and  happily.  ]\Iy 
father,  as  he  acquired  strength,  resumed  his  habit  of 
giving  addresses  to  young  and  old  at  the  rectory,  although 
he  was  forbidden  by  his  doctors  to  enter  the  pulpit.  Mr. 
Goodhart,  of  Park  Chapel,  Chelsea,  preached  for  him  twdce 
in  Beddington  Church  ;  and  Dr.  Ewald,  who  had  married 
one  of  a  family  who  had  greatly  valued  my  father's 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAVEX. 


493 


ministry  in  Leamington,  and  for  whom  lie  had  a  sincere 
regard,  came  to  plead  the  cause  of  the  Jews'  Society. 

Many  of  his  old  friends  visited  him  in  the  course  of  the 
summer,  and  were  astonished  at  the  continued  powder  of 
his  mind  and  buoyancy  of  his  spirit.    The  Miss  Leycesters, 
who  were  paying  a  long  visit  at  Beckenham  Eectory,  came 
frequently  to  see  him.    They  both  entered  vividly  into 
his  chief  interests,  and  he  delighted  in  their  society.  It 
charmed  him  to  hear,  amongst  many  other  plans  of  kind- 
ness, of  macaroni  breakfasts  for  poor  Italian  boys  in  Lon- 
don, and  how  a  way  had  been  won  to  their  hearts  thereby 
for  readings  from  the  Bible  in  the  Italian  tongue.  The 
younger  sister  constantly  corresponded  with  him  on  the 
business  of  the  society  for  sending  Englishwomen  as  mis- 
sionaries to  the  women  of  the  East,  in  the  service  of  which 
she  constantly  employed  herself,  especially  in  examining 
the  candidates  and  selecting  those  who  were  most  suitable 
for  the  work  in  India.    Those  who  knew  Emma  Leycester, 
and  the  charm  of  her  cultivated  mind,  bright  sweetness, 
and  childlike  unworldliness  of  spirit,  with  single-hearted 
desire  to  promote  her  Saviour's  glory,  wiU  readily  under- 
stand that  there  was  between  her  and  her  aged  relative  a 
tie  scarcely  less  endearing  than  that  of  father  and  daughter. 
Only  seven  months  after  he  was  taken  from  us,  she  too 
was  called  to  endure  a  brief  but  sharp  season  of  suffer- 
ing ;  and  then,  with  unfaiKng  faith  and  triumphant  joy,  to 
pass  through  the  dark  valley  into  the  presence  of  the 
Saviour,  whom  (she  said)  my  father  had  led  her,  in  her 
early  days,  to  trust  and  love. 


494 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


TO  HIS  ELDEST  DAUGHTER. 

'Beddixgtox  Rectory,  Oct.  9,  1863. 
'Dear  darling  Mary, —  .  .  .  You  and  I  think  and 
feel  alike.  I  get  so  tired  of  my  own  heart.  I  like  your 
remedy,  "Simply  to  cast  one's-self  on  Jesus."  I  add, 
"  It  is  finished."  Eemember  that ;  and  yet  let  us  work 
as  hard  as  we  can.  That  is  the  way  to  grow  in  grace,  and 
to  prove  it. 

'  Dear  Susie  came  to  us  from  Watlington  Park,  and 
paid  us  a  little  visit,  which  was  very  pleasant.  "  Our  Car" 
arrived  next,  and  then  good  Mrs.  Scott  from  Colchester. 
So  you  see  our  old  friends  find  us  out  in  our  new  home. 
Can  you,  and  dear  little  Mary  and  Fanny  come  on 
Tuesday  next,  when  we  shall  have  plenty  of  room  ?  I 
wish  Francis  could  also  come.  By-and-bye  we  shall  all 
meet  in  one  mansion,  and  say,  "  Thou  hast  placed  my  feet 
in  a  large  room." 

'  My  love  to  you  all.  Sweet  Lucy,  who  writes  for  me, 
says,  "  How  will  you  end  your  letter  ?"  I  tell  her,  hy  love 
vjithout  end  from  your  loving  father,  W.  M.' 

'  P.8. — Since  I  have  been  here  I  have  read  Chalmers's 
Daily  Readings  on  the  Psalms.  Very  enlarged  views ; 
very  spiritual ;  very  full  of  common  sense  !  What  a  man 
he  was  !  and  at  last,  translated,  as  it  were  ! 

'  You  did  not  take  the  little  book  on  prophecy,  so  I  send 
it  after  you.  ...  I  have  always  shrunk  from  fixing  dates. 
But  I  have  not  been  afraid  of  believing  "  Surely,  I  come 
quickly,"  and  o^  praying  "  Even  so,  come,  Lord  Jesus  I"' 


THE  THKESHOLD  OF  HEAYEX. 


495 


"When  entering  on  the  charge  of  Beddington,  my  father 
had  felt  so  tenderly  for  the  parishioners  in  their  sorrow  at 
the  recent  loss  of  their  beloved  pastor,  whose  earnest 
labours  they  had  enjoyed  for  nineteen  years,  that  he  was 
anxious  to  avoid  making  any  unnecessary  changes  in  the 
existing  arrangements  for  the  church  and  parish.  The 
only  exception  he  made  was  the  substitution  of  a  regular 
weekly  service  and  sermon,  instead  of  the  prayers  on 
saints'  days.  But,  besides  the  services  he  found  there,  a 
cottage  lecture  had  been  added;  and  wdien  the  duties 
were  shared  by  three  curates,  extempore  lectures  were 
deKvered  every  week  at  two  school-rooms  in  different 
parts  of  the  widely-scattered  parish,  and  a  third  at  a 
cottage  in  another  direction. 

A  Bible-woman  was  also  employed,  whose  salary  was 
generously  given  by  Mr.  Laurence.  She  was  a  simple 
and  hearty  Christian,  and  soon  made  her  way  into  the 
confidence  of  the  poor.  Before  she  began  her  work  at 
Beddington,  she  had  been  known  and  approved  by  Mrs. 
Eanyard,  the  foundress  of  the  noble  institution  of  '  the 
missing  link '  between  rich  and  poor,  the  marvellous  pro- 
gress and  success  of  which  my  father  had  watched  and 
furthered  with  the  warmest  interest  and  sympathy. 

It  could  not  be  expected  but  that,  amidst  the  respectful 
and  cordial  kindness  which  he  experienced  in  his  parish, 
on  all  sides,  deepening  into  tender  anxiety  during  his  ill- 
ness, there  should  yet  arise  some  shades  of  differing  opinion 
on  questions  touching  Church  matters.  His  manner  of 
dealing  with  such  divergencies  of  judgment  amongst  his 
flock  was  marked  by  his  habitual  courteous  and  gentle 


496 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


consideration  for  the  feelings  of  others,  combined  with  a 
steadfast  firmness  where  he  felt  principle  to  be  concerned. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  following  extracts  from  one  of 
the  letters  written  on  the  occasion,  that  a  desire  had  been 
expressed  by  some  to  introduce  the  practice  of  monotoning 
the  Church  service. 

To  one  of  his  parishioners  he  wrote  as  follows  :-  - 

'  Your  visit  of  yesterday  was  a  great  pleasure  to  me. 
I  truly  value  your  hearty  friendship. 

'  With  regard  to  our  Church  matters,  there  are  many 
things  which  may  seem  harmless  in  themselves,  but 
become  dangerous  by  their  affinity. 

'A  strong  effort  is  being  made  to  unite  the  Latin, 
Greek,  and  English  Churches.  This  would  be  the  ruin  of 
our  constitution,  and  of  the  prosperity  of  our  country ; 
because  it  is  contrary  to  the  Divine  will,  as  revealed  in 
the  Holy  Scriptures,  to  unite  truth  with  error. 

'  The  main  object  of  introducing  intoning,  and  other 
practices  which  usually  accompany  it,  into  the  churches 
of  our  country,  is  to  undermine  the  principles  of  the 
Keformation,  by  accustoming  the  congregations  to  listen 
to  a  service  performed  for  them,  appealing  more  to  the 
senses  than  the  spirit;  and  in  that,  and  other  ways, 
assimilated  to  the  mode  of  worship  of  the  Church  of 
Eome. 

'As  patriots,  no  less  than  as  Protestant  Christians, 
we  should  resist  everything  which  would  help  to  open 
the  flood-gates  to  Eomanism.  It  is  said  by  some  that  the 
spirit  of  tlie  Church  of  Eome  is  now  more  in  accordance 


THE  THKESHOLD  OF  HEAVEX. 


497 


with  the  tolerant  sphit  of  the  Church  of  England.  But 
alas  1  while  she  claims  for  her  prerogatives  infallibility 
and  unchangeableness,  she  mnst  act  upon  her  original  per- 
secuting dogmas,  wherever  she  has  the  power ;  as  we  see 
in  the  case  of  those  noble  Spaniards,  who  have  just  been 
saved  with  great  difficulty,  by  the  appeals  of  several 
Governments,  from  the  horrors  of  galley- slavery ;  to  which 
they  were  sentenced  solely  for  the  crime  of  reading  the 
Word  of  God ! 

'  The  Church  of  England  has  not  only  declared  in  her 
rubric  the  doctrine  of  the  Church  of  Eome  touching  the 
sacrifice  of  the  mass,  to  be  "  idolatry  abliorrcd  of  all  faith- 
ful Christians!'^  but  she  deems  the  system  in  general  to  be 
so  dangerous,  that  out  of  her  Thirty-nine  Articles  she  has 
sixteen  expressly  against  the  same,  besides  the  strong 
protests  in  many  of  her  Homilies.  The  sixth  article  is 
the  glory  of  our  Church ;  by  that  may  she  always  abide, 
and  may  you  and  I,  as  individuals,  do  so  likewise.  "  Holy 
Scripture  containeth  all  things  necessary  to  salvation ;  so 
that  whatsoever  is  not  read  therein,  nor  may  be  proved 
thereby,  is  not  to  be  required  of  any  man,  that  it  should 
be  believed  as  an  article  of  the  Faith,  or  be  thought  re- 
quisite or  necessary  to  salvation." 

'  It  is  on  these  grounds  that  I  cannot  give  my  consent 
to  any  change  in  our  simple  and  scriptural  form  of 
worship  which  would  tend  to  assimilate  it  to,  or  symbolize 
with,  that  of  the  Church  of  Eome.' 

His  anxious  concern  on  the  whole  of  this  momentous 
question  seemed  only  to  intensify,  as  he  was  himself 

^  Eubric  at  the  close  of  the  Communion  Service. 
2  I 


498 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


drawing  nearer  his  rest.  Not  alone  in  tlie  direction  of 
Eitualism  was  lie  alarmed  at  the  development  of  the 
Eomanizing  movement,  but  whilst  doing  all  the  justice 
of  which  his  high  nature  was  capable  to  the  devout  and 
self-sacrificing  purpose  of  individuals,  he  viewed  with 
equal  distrust  and  anxiety  the  increase  of  the  number 
of  Sisterhoods.  He  saw  in  them  the  germ  of  conventual 
life,  in  all  its  rigidity  and  unhappiness,  its  line  of  de- 
marcation between  secular  and  religious  life  in  place  of 
the  hallowing  of  common  life,  its  severance  of  home-ties, 
and  its  injurious  concentration  of  interest  in  spiritual 
directors  and  confessors.  '  The  system  cannot  but  culmi- 
nate in  the  Church  of  Eome,'  he  said,  '  as  surely  as  a  river 
flows  to  the  ocean.' 

The  principle  of  monastic  life  he  believed  to  be  opposed 
to  the  Divine  will.  '  God  made  the  family,'  he  would 
say ;  '  priests  made  the  nunnery.  Asceticism  demands 
the  bondage  of  life-vows.  God  gives  "  glorious  liberty  " 
to  His  children  to  "  serve  Him  with  gladness  "  and  with 
"  a  free  heart,"  while  watching,  day  by  day,  the  guiding 
of  His  eye.' 

It  need  scarcely  be  repeated  here,  that,  whilst  he  thus 
clearly  expressed  and  firmly  stood  by  his  life -long  con- 
victions as  to  the  doctrines  and  practices  of  the  Church 
of  Eome  itself,  or  those  which  paved  the  way  for  their 
reception,  he  was  very  tender  towards  the  individual 
members  of  her  communion.  To  one  of  his  daughters 
who  was  visiting  a  dying  Eoman  Catholic,  he  said,  '  You 
are  right  not  to  disturb  the  mind  of  one  who  is  drawing 
near  to  another  world  by  alluding  to  churches  or  dogmas. 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAVEX. 


499 


Seek  only  to  lead  liiin  to  rest  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
alone  for  salvation ;  to  let  none  stand  between  him  and 
"  the  One  Mediator  between  God  and  man,  the  man 
Christ  Jesus ;"  and  to  believe  in  His  "  OXE  sacrifice 
OXCE  offered  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world ;"  and  he  is 
SAVED  in  the  Lord  with  an  everlasting  salvation;  he  is 
one  of  those  of  whom  the  Master  spoke,  in  the  words 
recorded  in  John  v.  24,  "  He  that  heareth  my  word,  and 
believeth  on  Him  that  sent  me,  hath  everlasting  life, 
and  shall  not  come  into  condemnation  ;  but  is  PASSED 

FROM  DEATH  UXTO  LIFE."  ' 

The  following  letter,  Aviitten  about  the  same  time,  will 
show  that,  whilst  faithfully  caring  for  the  spiritual  welfare 
of  his  parish,  not  only  for  its  own  sake,  but  also  as  an  in- 
tegral part  of  the  church  to  which  he  was  devotedly 
attached,  the  temporal  condition  of  the  poor  throughout 
the  country  shared  in  his  thoughts,  his  sympathies,  and 
his  efforts  : — 

'  There  is  a  subject  on  which  The  Times  might  give 
its  powerful  and  generous  advice  much  to  the  honour  of 
our  country,  and  to  the  alleviation  of  the  misery  of 
many  poor  people — I  mean  as  to  the  appointment  of  the 
governors  of  workhouses. 

'  The  electors,  in  a  town,  or  district,  should  never 
choose  "  A,"  or  "  B,"  "  because  he  needs  such  a  situation," 
but  only  men  who  are  qualified  for  the  office. 

'  "Workhouses  are  not  prisons  for  criminals,  but  asylums 
for  the  aged,  the  poor,  and  those  who  have  met  with  mis- 


500  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

fortunes  and  have  no  means  of  relief  The  governor, 
therefore,  as  to  rules,  order,  and  proper  discipline,  may  be 
inflexible  as  a  judge,  but  should  be  also  tender  as  a 
mother. 

'  There  are  many  persons,  in  the  present  day,  who  have 
such  a  dread  of  a  workhouse  that  they  would  rather  sub- 
mit to  starvation  than  become  inmates  of  one,  not  so 
much  because  the  workhouse  lowers  them  in  the  scale  of 
human  society,  as  because  they  hear  of  the  rigour  and 
cruelty  too  often  exercised  within  those  walls. 

'  The  Holy  Scriptures  speak  frequently  and  strongly  on 
the  duty  of  showing  kindness  to  the  aged,  the  fatherless, 
and  the  widow. 

'  He  is  not  best  qualified  who  is  orer-shrewd  in 
examining  into  the  truth  of  cases  in  order  that  the 
public  money  may  never  be  misapplied. 

'  If  persons  come  to  the  workhouse  late  in  the  evening, 
and  apparently  in  very  great  distress,  why  not  give  them 
a  decent  night's  lodging  and  food  until  the  case  can  be 
inquired  into  the  next  day  ? 

'  If  young  outcasts  apply  for  admission,  they  might  be 
received,  and  be  taught  some  trade  which  would  pay  for 
their  own  expenses  while  in  the  workhouse.  Very  few 
would  give  up  their  free  lives  out  of  doors  unless  desiring 
to  reform,  or  actually  starving,  and  such  in  either  case 
have  a  claim  for  attention  and  relief 

'  You  may  ask  me  why  I  enter  upon  the  subject.  I 
have  just  been  reading  of  cases  even  in  London,  of  per- 
sons who  have  actually  died  of  starvation ;  and  in  our 
courts  of  justice,  workhouse  officials  have  been  blamed  for 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAVEN. 


501 


refusing  to  admit  such  cases  of  distress  until  (as  they  said 
in  excuse)  they  had  had  time  to  investigate  the  circum- 
stances. 

'  A  passage  of  Scripture  occurs  to  me,  which  is  as  ap- 
plicable to  a  nation  as  to  the  individual  to  ^Yllom  it  was 
originally  addressed,  "  Break  off  thy  sins  by  righteousness, 
and  thy  iniquities  by  showing  mercy  to  the  poor,  if  it  may 
be  a  lengthening  of  thy  tranquillity." ' 

TO  THE  REV.  JOHN  MILLER,  D.D.,  THEN  RECTOR  OF  BIRMINGHAM, 
NOAV  OF  GREENWICH. 

'  Beddixgtox  Eectory,  October  15. 

'  My  dear  Dr.  Miller, — I  take  it  for  granted  your 
sermon  on  "  Controversy  a  Scriptural  Duty"  wdll  be 
printed  ?  Would  it  not  be  well  also  to  have  it  put  in  the 
form  of  a  little  book  for  general  circulation  ? 

'  We  have  met  with  sincere  and  good  High  Churchmen, 
but  such  are  not  aware  of  the  tendency  of  their  views. 
Yet  one  of  them  said,  the  other  day,  he  had  rather  be  a 
Eoman  Catholic  than  a  Dissenter.  Is  it  possible  that  he 
could  ever  have  read  the  sessions  of  the  Council  of  Trent, 
or  the  creed  of  Pope  Pius  iv.  ?  It  is  impossible  for  com- 
mon-sense to  prove  that  system  and  the  New  Testament 
Christianity  to  be  otherwise  than  antagonistic.  We  must 
continue  to  pray  "  that  it  may  please  Thee  to  lead  into  the 
way  of  truth  all  such  as  have  erred  and  are  deceived." 

'  There  is  a  deep-laid  conspiracy  against  the  Pro- 
testantism of  our  Church  and  country.  If  permitted  to 
succeed,  judgments  will  fall  on  the  land ;  but  if  Popery 


502 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


prevail  a  for  short  time,  it  will  terminate  in  infidelity  as 
the  last  antichrist.  Satanic  influence  is  not  sufficiently 
recognised,  yet  it  will  prevail  till  the  enemy  be  bound. 
"Erom  the  crafts  and  assaults  of  the  devil,  good  Lord, 
deliver  us !" 

'  May  your  health  and  strength  continue,  and  that  of 
dear  Stowell  and  others,  to  be  champions  in  the  war  of 
truth  against  error.  — Yours  ever  affectionately, 

*  William  Marsh.' 

TO  THE  late  revered  AND  LAMENTED  CANON  STOWELL. 

'October  16,  1863. 

'  My  DEAR  Stowell, — I  am  thankful  for  your  faithful- 
ness, and  by  grace  you  will  be  faithful  unto  death. 

'  That  was  a  sterling  saying  of  Dr.  Hook,  on  the  third 
day  at  the  Manchester  Conference :  "  The  first  thing  a 
clergyman  should  do,  should  be  to  ascertain  clearly,  as  an 
honest  man,  what  are  the  real  principles  of  the  Church  of 
England."  The  non-natural  sense  put  upon  the  Articles 
by  some,  is  a  departure  in  heart  from  the  Church  of 
England;  she  requires  them  to  be  taken  in  their  plain, 
literal,  grammatical  sense. 

'  The  Archbishop  of  York's  speech  at  the  Churcli 
Missionary  Anniversary,  calling  for  devout  thankfulness 
to  Almighty  God  for  what  the  Society  has  already  accom- 
plished, is  a  sufficient  answer  to  the  innuendoes  lately 
uttered  against  it. 

'  My  dear  friend,  the  Jesuit  is  abroad,  and  if  (as  I  fear) 
the  Church  of  England  is  to  be  visited  with  chastisement 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAVEN. 


503 


for  her  want  of  faithfulness  to  her  own  principles, 
Eomanism  will  prevail.  After  that,  infidelity  will  suc- 
ceed, and  there  may  be  a  violent  struggle.  But  after 
that,  He  will  come  who  will  "  put  down  all  rule,  authority, 
and  power "  opposed  to  the  glorious  gospel  of  the  grace 
of  God.    "  Amen  :  even  so,  come,  Lord  J esus." 

'  I  fear  it  is  in  vain  for  me  to  think  that  you  would 
ever  have  a  spare  Simday  to  occupy  Beddington  pulpit, 
otherwise  you  might  plead  here  the  cause  of  the  Church 
Missionary  Society  before  the  end  of  the  year. — Ever 
yours  affectionately,  William  ]\Iarsh.' 

TO  THE  EEV.  JOHX  RVLE.-^ 

'  Beddington  Rectory,  October  20. 
'  My  dear  Eyle, — If  I  should  ever  visit  you,  I  should 
like  a  "  sitting"  in  your  new  schoolroom  ;  so  I  pay  for  it 
in  advance,  £1 — I  only  wish  it  were  £100.  I  am  so  glad 
to  hear  of  the  movement  at  Ipswich.  The  great  enemy  is 
awake  and  astir ;  if  we  sleep,  the  land  will  be  sown  with 
tares.  May  truth  conquer  among  our  Suffolk  brethren, 
and  the  wheat  they  sow  produce  an  abundant  harvest. 
Controversy,  "  with  meekness  and  wisdom,"  in  the  present 
day  is  a  bounden  duty  ;  silence  would  be  too  like  neutra- 
lity, and  neutrality  is  treason. — Yours  most  truly, 

'  WiLLiAi\i  Marsh.' 

^  Of  Mr.  Eyle's  Commentary  on  the  Gospels^  lie  said,  '  I  know  notliing 
of  the  kind  likely  to  be  more  useful.  It  is  clear  as  light.  And  Mr. 
Kyle's  tracts  were  those  which  lie  gave  away  most  widely,  excepting 
only  the  series  entitled  'Christ  is  all,'  by  his  beloved  friend,  Arch- 
deacon Law,  now  Dean  of  Gloucester. 


504 


xAIEMOm  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MAUSH,  D.D. 


TO  T.  S.  WEIGHT,  ESQ. 

'  Dear  Mr.  Wright, —  ...  I  fear  the  hope  of  gain  has 

been  a  temptation  to  poor   ,  inducing  him  to  sell 

tracts  of  extreme  views.  How  numerous  and  how  subtle 
are  the  devices  of  the  enemy  !  There  is  no  safety  but  in 
adhering  to  the  Word  of  God,  and  in  prayer  for  the  Spirit 
of  God ;  and  thus  the  will  is  strengthened  to  incur  risks 
rather  than  to  act  contrary  to  truth,  duty,  and  conscience. 
The  laity  must  rise  up,  and  see  that  error  be  put  down, 
or  the  Church  of  England  will  fall,  and  all  Protestantism 
in  this  country.  Many  Dissenters  are^little  aware  that  the 
fall  of  our  Church  would  remove  the  sea-wall,  and  they 
would  then  soon  be  overwhelmed  in  the  flood.  All  lovers 
of  Scriptural  truth  should  unite  (as  they  have  done  at 
Leamington),  and  should  pray  that  the  Government  may 
act  wisely  and  firmly. 

'  But  our  privilege  is  to  look  beyond  it  all,  to  a 
kingdom,  wliich  can  never  be  moved,  and  a  Church 
which  will  be  without  spot,  wrinkle,  or  any  such  thing. 
There  cannot  be  such  till  "  that  which  is  perfect  be 
come." 

'  Kindest  remembrances  to  jNIrs.  Wright. — Yours  affec- 
tionately, W.  Marsh.' 


During  the  summer  my  father's  mind  had  been  much 
occupied  with  thoughts  concerning  the  Lord's  return, 
which  he  was  led  to  think,  from  many  signs  of  the 


THE  THEESHOLD  OF  HEAVEX. 


505 


times,  might  not  be  very  long  delayed.  He  loved  more 
than  ever  to  dwell  upon  this  hope  when  conversing 
with  his  own  family,  and  with  the  friends  who  visited 
him. 

Long  ago  he  had  given  heed  to  the  snre  word  of  pro- 
phecy, but  now  his  anxiety  deepened  that  the  subject 
should  be  kept  prominently  before  the  minds  of  the 
people  of  God  as  a  powerful  motive  for  increased  activity 
in  His  service,  and  for  seeking^  Q-reater  attainments  in 
personal  holiness.  Whilst  '  of  that  clay  and  that  hour 
knoweth  no  man,'  he  would  quote ;  yet  remember  that  it 
is  also  said,  '  Ye,  brethren,  are  not  in  darkness  that  that 
day  should  overtake  you  as  a  thief.'  Then,  alluding  to 
passing  events,  and  comparing  them  with  the  signs  fore- 
told by  our  Lord  of  His  coming,  he  would  add,  in  a 
triumphant  tone,  'When  these  things  hcgin  to  come  to 
pass,  then  look  up,  and  lift  up  your  heads,  for  your 
redemption  draweth  nigh.' 

In  the  hope  of  arousing  the  interest  of  many  in  the 
neighbourhood  on  this  subject,  he  arranged  that  a  con- 
ference shoid.d  be  held  at  Beddington  in  Xovember. 
Having  obtained  the  use  of  the  large  hall  in  the  Park 
for  two  days,  it  was  planned  that  the  working-men's 
annual  tea-party  should  be  given  on  Monday  the  2d, 
that  the  conference  should  meet  in  the  morning  and  after- 
noon of  the  3d  ;  and  that  the  day  should  be  ended  by 
an  evening  service  in  the  church,  with  the  celebration  of 
the  Lord's  Supper,  bearing  in  mind  the  words  of  St.  Paul, 
'  As  often  as  ye  eat  this  bread,  and  drink  this  cup,  ye  do 
show  the  Lord's  death  till  He  come.' 


506 


MEMOIR  OF  KEY.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


AVlien  my  father  sent  out  the  invitations/  he  made  a 
request  in  each  that  prayer  might  be  offered  that  all 
who  should  meet  on  that  occasion  might  receive  'an 
unction  from  the  Holy  One ; '  and  that  the  presence  of 
God  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Teacher,  Sanctifier,  and  Com- 
forter, might  be  felt  and  known  amongst  them. 

These  prayers  received  a  full  answer.  Many  wrote 
word  afterwards  that  it  had  been  a  marked  day  in  their 
heavenward  journey ;  ^  and  others  said  they  had  never 
before  felt  so  conscious  of  the  presence  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
as  during  those  meetings,  and  in  the  intervals  between 
them,  which  were  chiefly  spent  in  prayer  and  praise,  and 
holy  converse. 

1  The  following  letter  was  an  answer  received  from  one  of  those 
whose  presence  he  had  first  invited  : — 

'  Liverpool,  28th  October  1863. 

'  Beloved  Friend, — Impracticable  !  I  am  specially  engaged  here 
for  Nov.  1,  2,  3,  and  5. 

'  The  vision  is  yet  for  an  appointed  time.  Though  it  tarry,  we  will 
still  be  waiting  for  it.     "It  wiU  surely  come,  it  will  not  tarry." 

'  Then  shall  Isa.  xxvi.  be  sung  in  the  land  of  Judah,  and  the  song  of 
Moses  raised  in  the  same  key  with  the  song  of  the  Lamb.  The  sub- 
ject is  the  same, — the  Lord's  victory  over  the  enemies  of  His  Church. 
The  enemy  changes  aspects, — Egyjjt,  Assyria,  Babylon,  Rome ;  our 
Captain  changeth  not.  Hallelujah  !  And  what  are  we?  "Weak  and 
helpless;"  yet  "more  than  conquerors." 

'  Peace,  His  peace,  perfect  peace,  be  ever  with  you,  my  dear  old 
friend.  Hugh  M'Neile.' 

-  One  of  these  was  shortly  called  to  enter  her  heavenly  home.  The 
account  of  the  blessing  which  she  found  at  this  conference  is  told  in 
the  simple  but  beautiful  story  of  her  brief  life  and  peaceful  death, 
entitled,  Clear  Shining;  a  Memoir  of  Gertrude  Acklom.  By  her 
Mother, 


THE  THEESHOLD  OF  HEATEX. 


507 


The  following  extract  is  taken  from  a  letter  written  a 
few  days  afterwards,  by  the  Eev.  Marcus  Eainsford,  now 
incumbent  of  Belgrave  Chapel,  London  : — 

'Ee^t:eexd  axd  dear  Sie, —  ...  I  can  truly  say  I 
had  a  fresh  and  full  baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit  at  your 
conference,  and  I  heartily  joined  with  others  in  asking 
a  special  blessing  on  the  dear  aged  servant  of  the  Lord 
who  had  brought  us  together.  .  .  .  Probably,  when  next 
we  meet,  His  name  will  be  written  on  our  foreheads ;  and, 
in  the  meantime,  our  names  are  written  in  His  heart, 
eno-raven  on  His  hands,  and  on  His  shoulders.' 

The  3d  of  Xovember  set  in  with  such  storms  of  wind 
and  rain  as  made  us  fear  that  comparatively  few  would 
be  able  to  attend  the  meetings.  But  by  ten  o'clock, 
between  sixty  and  seventy  of  my  father's  personal  friends 
had  arrived  at  the  rectory,  and  assembled  in  the  library  to 
hear  from  lum  a  short  but  heart- stirring  address,  in  which 
he  dwelt  chiefly  on  the  words,  '  The  Lord  is  at  hand.' 
■  Xot  only  providentially,  not  only  spiritually,  but  per- 
sonally ;  not  alone  to  faith,  but  also  to  sight.'  Afterwards 
they  proceeded  to  the  hall,  which  was  already  nearly 
filled.  From  some  miles  around  the  people  had  gathered 
together ;  and  a  remarkable  spirit  of  solemnity  and 
devotion  prevailed. 

Copies  of  the  h}'mn-book  called  The  Praise  of  Jcsits 
had  been  distributed ;  and  the  seiwice  commenced  with 
singing  a  hymn,  in  Avhicli  every  heart  and  voice  seemed 
to  join.    This  was  followed  by  prayer  and  a  short  address 


508 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


from  the  Eev.  William  Pemiefather,  after  wliicli  the  fol- 
lowing letter  from  my  father  was  read  aloud  by  Mr. 
O'Eorke  :  — 

'  Beloved  Friends, — You  are  assembled  together  for 
the  greatest  object  that  can  occupy  the  human  mind, — 
the  glory  of  God  in  the  salvation  of  man.  You  are  also 
employing  the  best  means  to  promote  that  object,  for 

"  Prayer  is  appointed  to  convey 
The  blessings  God  designs  to  give  ;" 

and  there  appears  to  be  a  special  honour  set  upon  united 
prayer.  Our  blessed  Lord  has  not  only  promised  to  hear 
it,  but  to  grant  His  presence  to  it,  for  "  where  two  or  three 
are  gathered  together  in  My  name,  there  am  I  in  the 
midst  of  them." 

*  You  have  also  in  view  that  which  will  be  so  brifrht  a 
manifestation  of  the  Divine  glory  both  to  this  world  and 
to  the  universe, — the  Second  Advent  of  our  blessed  Lord. 
N"ot  till  then  will  the  enemy  be  bound  and  error  be 
banished,  and  Jcav  and  Gentile  form  one  flock,  under 
One  Shepherd. 

'  It  is  the  great  and  constant  subject  of  the  Christian 
Scriptures.  The  apostolic  writings  employ  it  to  awaken 
salutary  fears,  to  excite  joyful  hopes,  and  to  quicken  be- 
lievers in  the  discharge  of  every  duty.  N'or  should  we 
forget  that  with  this  subject  Eevelation  closes  :  "  Behold, 
I  come  quickly ;"  and  St.  John,  as  if  personating  all  be- 
lievers, answers,  "  Amen  :  even  so,  come.  Lord  Jesus." 

'  You  will  allow  me  to  add  to  these  few  thoughts,  that 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAVEX. 


509 


till  that  glorious  period,  in  the  righteous  judgment  of  God, 
Satanic  influence  will  obtain  over  our  world.  And,  dear 
brethren,  none  of  us  is  likely  to  escape  it  but  by  daily 
prayer  and  daily  reading  of  the  Holy  Scriptures.  Thus 
"  Kesist  the  devil,  and  he  will  flee  from  you,"  terrified  by 
the  discovery  that  One  is  with  you  who  has  him  in  a 
chain.  Our  Lord  himself,  in  His  personal  conflict  with 
the  devil,  overcame  him  by  the  Scriptures.  But  we  must 
have  the  Holy  Sx3irit  to  apply  the  Word  ;  therefoi-e  "  draw 
nigh  to  God,  and  He  will  draw  nigh  to  you."  It  is  only 
by  the  diligent  use  of  the  Scriptures,  and  by  constant 
prayer,  that  individuals  or  nations  can  be  preserved  in 
the  truth  to  the  end.  Therefore,  "  I  commend  you  unto 
God,  and  to  the  Word  of  His  grace,  which  is  able  to  build 
you  up,  and  to  give  you  an  inheritance  among  them  that 
are  sanctified."  Thus  you  will  be  useful  in  life,  safe  in 
death,  and  blessed  in  eternity. 

'  And  let  me  ask  your  prayers  for  myself,  that  I  may 
die  resting  only  on  the  simple  faith  that  a  full,  perfect, 
and  sufficient  sacrifice  was  made  for  sin,  when  our  Lord 
proclaimed  on  Calvary,  "  It  is  finished  !"  After  all  His 
unknoAvn  sufferings  for  us,  it  will  be  heaven  to  behold 
His  glory  ;  and  to  this  happiness  may  we  all  be  brought, 
and  to  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost  shall  be  the 
eternal  praise.' 

The  meeting  was  continued  for  about  two  hours  with 
undiminished  interest.  The  speakers  were  the  Eevs. 
Marcus  Eainsford,  Charles  Goodhart,  Claremont  Skrine, 
and  Daniel  Wilson  of  Islington.  Prayer  was  offered  or 
a  hymn  sung  between  each  address;  and  the  whole  was 


510 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


closed  by  a  short  exposition  of  Canticles  ii.  8-17,  given  by 
Mr.  Pennefather. 

Dinner  had  been  prepared  in  the  school-room  for  a 
hundred  guests  who  had  received  special  invitations, 
and  refreshments  were  provided  for  others  in  the  ante- 
room, of  the  hall. 

When  the  meeting  w^as  resumed  in  the  afternoon,  it 
was  carried  on  with  unabated  interest  and  fervour.  Mr. 
O'Korke  commenced  it  with  prayer,  and  then  Mr.  French, 
Colonel  Eowlandson,  and  Mr.  Blackwood,  each  spoke,  in 
turn,  faithful  words  of  warning,  counsel,  and  encourage- 
ment, touching  the  dangers,  the  duties,  and  the  hopes  of 
the  Church  of  Christ  in  these  days. 

The  twilight  of  the  winter's  evening  soon  deepened 
into  night,  and  the  only  light  in  the  old  hall — the  flicker- 
ing blaze  of  the  log- fire  burning  on  the  open  hearth,  its 
flames  lighting  for  a  few  moments  the  uplifted  faces,  or 
showing  the  speaker  pleading  earnestly  for  his  Lord — 
seemed  to  be  in  keeping  with  the  deep  solemnity  of 
the  last  address  ;  which  touched  upon  the  probability  of  a 
time  of  great  tribulation  intervening  before  the  Lord's 
return,  and  urged  a  constant  state  of  preparedness. 

Just  as  it  was  ended,  a  message  was  brought  from  my 
father  to  say  that  he  would  speak  a  few  words  to  any  who 
liked  to  come  to  the  rectory.  Many  gladly  responded  to 
his  invitation,  and  again  the  library  was  filled  with  lis- 
teners, eager  to  hear  his  ripened  experience. 

The  brief  remembrances  written  down  afterwards  can 
give  but  little  idea  of  the  power  of  the  spoken  words,  as 
the  aged  saint,  his  face  radiant  with  the  joy  of  his  Lord, 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAYEX. 


•Ml 


spoke  out  of  tLe  fulness  of  his  heart  in  varying  tones,  now 
solenm,  now  persuasive,  and  now  exulting.  He  spoke 
first  of  the  character  of  God,  then  of  the  mistaken  views 
of  men  concerning  Him. 

'  God  is  not  loved  because  He  is  not  known  :  "Acquaint 
now  thyself  witli  Him,  and  be  at  peace,  thereby  good  shall 
come  unto  thee." 

'  He  has  revealed  Himself  in  His  word :  "  God  is  light ;'' 
■  God  is  love." 

'  He  has  manifested  HimseK  in  His  Son  :  "  In  this  was 
manifested  the  love  of  God  toward  us,  because  that  God 
sent  His  only  begotten  Son  into  the  world,  that  we  might 
live  through  Him." 

'  But  the  heart  of  the  natural  man  is  so  hard,  and  his 
will  so  stubborn,  that  they  must  be  renewed  and  subdued 
by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit :  "  For  the  love  of  God  is 
shed  abroad  in  our  hearts  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  He 
hath  given  unto  us." 

'  Then,  when  the  Three  Persons  of  the  Blessed  Trinity 
are  known  and  believed  in,  "  The  name  of  the  Lord  is  a 
strong  tower,"  and  the  soul  that  is  sheltered  there  is  safe 
f^r  eternity.' 

An  hour  after  tea  had  been  served  in  the  schoolroom, 
all  who  could  remain  joined  in  the  evening  ser^'ice  in  the 
church  and  partook  of  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 
The  preacher  was  the  Eev.  Thomas  Xolan,  who  gave  an 
excellent  sermon  on  the  words,  '  Till  He  come  !' 

Just  before  my  father  left  his  parish  to  pay  his  winter 
visit  to  Beckenham,  one  of  his  churchwardens  thus  wrote 
to  him  : — - 


512 


MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


*  Eeverexd  axd  dear  Sir, — I  am  much  obliged  by  your 
kind  remembrance  of  me,  sliown  by  your  handsome  pre- 
sent of  a  standard  Church  work. 

'  I  shall  very  much  value  the  gift  for  the  honoured 
donor's  sake,  and  also  for  its  intrinsic  merit. 

'  As  I  suppose  we  shall  soon  hear  of  your  returning  to 
your  warm  and  comfortable  winter  quarters,  permit  me 
to  express  my  hopes  of  your  continued  preservation  in 
health  during  your  absence,  and  of  your  return  to  your 
flock  next  spring  in  a  good  state  of  health.  AVe  all  value 
you,  and  are  proud  of  so  bright  an  example  of  what  the 
decliniDg  years  of  a  clergyman  ought  to  be.' 

The  close  of  the  old  year  and  the  opening  of  the  new, 
my  father  had  always  regarded  as  a  very  solemn  season, 
and  it  had  been  his  custom  to  hold  a  meeting  in  his  parish 
for  prayer  and  exposition  of  the  Scripture  on  the  last 
night  of  the  old  year,  and  to  administer  the  Sacrament,  in 
addition  to  the  service  and  sermon  on  Kew- Year's  Day. 
Even  in  the  feeble  health  of  his  later  years,  he  had  been 
in  the  habit  of  waiting  until  the  midnight  hour  had  struck, 
ushering  in  the  Xew  Year,  that  he  might  meet  it  with 
prayer  and  with  praise  before  retiring  to  rest.  Quoting  the 
words,  'We  spend  our  years  as  a  tale  that  is  told,' — *  humi- 
liation for  the  past  year,'  he  said,  '  with  its  long  catalogue 
of  sins  and  shortcomings,  and  its  tale  of  listless  love  and 
service  to  Him  who  so  loved  us  as  to  give  His  life  for  us, 
should  mingle  with  thankfulness  for  abounding  mercies, 
and  most  of  all  for  "  the  blood  which  cleanseth  us  from  all 
sin;"'  and  for  the  coming  year,  'there  should  be  happy 


THE  THEESHOLD  OF  HEA^TX. 


513 


confidence  in  the  promised  grace  and  strength  of  our 
Eedeemer,  and  in  the  fatherly  wisdom  and  kindness  of 
the  Almighty  Providence  which  has  foreseen  all  its  un- 
known events,  with  intent  and  power  to  make  them  work 
together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God.' 

More  than  once  the  first  sound  we  heard,  after  the  chim- 
ing of  the  church  bells  had  announced  the  New  Year,  was 
his  beloved  voice  repeating  the  following  verses  : — 

'  This  God  is  the  God  we  adore, 

Our  faithful  unchangeable  Friend, 
Whose  love  is  as  great  as  His  power, 
And  neither  knows  measure  nor  end. 

'Tis  Jesus,  the  First  and  the  Last, 

Whose  mercy  shall  guide  us  safe  home ; 

We  '11  praise  Him  for  all  that  is  past, 
And  trust  Him  for  all  that 's  to  come. ' 

It  was  the  moment  his  daughters  especially  prized  to 
have  with  him,  to  receive  his  blessing.  On  one  year  he 
gave  it  in  these  words,  to  be  turned  into  a  daily  prayer  : 

' "  Be  strong  in  the  grace  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus ; " 
"The  Lord  give  thee  understanding  iii  all  things  "  The 
Lord  lift  up  His  countenance  upon  thee,  and  give  thee 
peace." ' 

On  being  reminded  of  those  words  the  following  year, 
and  asked,  '  Can  you  ever  give  us  any  blessing  so  full 
as  that  ? '  he  promptly  replied,  '  Yes ;  and  fuller  stilL 
"  Mercy  unto  you,  and  peace,  and  love,  be  midtipliccl" ' 

On  this,  the  last  of  these  solemn  seasons  which  he 
spent  on  earth,  he  seemed  to  see  every  blessing  as  con- 
centrated in  the  promise,  '  I  will  be  a  God  unto  thee.' 

2  K 


514 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


He  commenced  the  year  1864  in  such  fairly  good  health, 

that  no  mournful  impression  fell  upon  our  hearts  that  it 

was  to  be  the  last  N'ew- Year's  Day  on  which  we  should 

receive  the  greeting  and  the  blessing  so  dearly  prized ; 

and  look  upon 

'  The  sweet  attractive  kind  of  grace, 
A  full  assurance  given  by  looks, 
Continual  comfort  in  a  face 

The  lineaments  of  gospel  books.' 

As  he  was  not  allowed  to  venture  out  of  doors  in  the 
cold  weather,  he  wished  to  partake  of  the  sacrament  of 
the  Lord's  Supper  at  the  rectory  with  his  family;  and 
Mr.  O'Eorke  came  over  in  the  afternoon  and  administered 
it  to  us.  Just  before  the  service,  my  father  gave  a  short 
address  on  the  words,  '  As  often  as  ye  eat  this  bread,  and 
drink  this  cup,  ye  do  show  the  Lord's  death  till  He  come.' 
And  after  the  close,  his  voice  broke  the  stillness  with 
prayer  and  praise. 

Early  in  this  year  he  welcomed  with  delight  the  Eev. 
John  Sandys,  who  came  to  spend  a  few  days  with  him, — 
not  to  revive  their  friendship,  for  its  warmth  had  never 
been  lessened,  but  to  enjoy  an  intercourse  which  had 
become  less  frequent  since  my  father's  state  of  health 
had  obliged  him  to  give  up  his  annual  visit  to  Mr.  Sandys 
in  London,  and  owing  also  to  his  removal  into  N"orfolk. 

Eeferring  to  this  visit,  Mr.  Sandys,  in  concluding  the 
letter  quoted  before,^  wrote  as  follows  : — 

'  The  little  visit  I  paid  to  Beckenham  in  the  February 
before  dear  Dr.  Marsh's  removal  to  his  heavenly  home,  I 

^  See  pages  75-78. 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAVEN. 


515 


sliall  never  forget.  His  mind  seemed  as  clear  as  ever,  his 
conversation  as  animated,  and  there  was  a  radiancy  of 
countenance,  and  a  manifest  ripeness  for  heaven,  which 
it  was  indeed  good  to  contemplate. 

*  Notwithstanding  his  great  age,  his  cheerfulness  was 
not  a  whit  abated.  At  the  time  of  my  visit  the  snow  was 
lying  thick  on  the  ground.  His  bedroom  adjoined  the 
drawing-room ;  and  as  he  was  coming  from  one  to  the 
other  in  a  wheel- chair,  he  called  to  me  and  said,  with 
his  pleasant  humour,  '  Sandys,  if  any  one  asks  you  how 
friend  Marsh  is,  say,  "  Oh,  he  takes  his  drive  every  day  !" 
"What !  not  in  such  weather  as  this  ?"   "  Yes  ;  every  day  \" ' 

'  ]\Iy  feeling  at  the  time  of  that  visit  w^as  (I  remember) 
this, — I  wish  all  I  love  were  here  with  me  to  witness  the 
loveliness  and  power  of  religion  as  they  shine  forth  in  this 
old  servant  of  the  Lord. 

'  "  AMierein,  it  may  be  asked,  were  his  faidts  ?  for  none 
here  are  perfect."  None  in  the  sight  of  God.  "  Behold,  I 
am  vile,"  was  the  confession  of  the  pre-eminently  humble 
Job.  Like  lowliness  of  heart  characterized  your  dear 
father.  But  Daniel's  enemies  could  find  against  him  no 
occasion  or  fault ;  and  for  a  friend  or  enemy  to  find  occasion 
or  fault  in  your  dear  father  would,  methinks,  be  a  hard 
matter.  Of  our  adorable  Piedeemer  it  is  written,  "  Yea, 
He  is  altogether  lovely."  And  to  no  other  of  His  followers 
that  I  ever  saw  might  the  same  words  be,  with  an  equal 
legree  of  truth,  applied. 

'  My  love  and  veneration  for  your  dear  father  were  very 
great.  Yoic  will  not  think,  but  some  may,  that  these  have 
IjliQded  my  eyes  to  any  defects  that  may  have  existed. 


51G 


MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


The  cliaracter  of  my  mind  is  just  tlie  reverse.  The  more 
deeply  I  love  a  person,  the  more  sensitive  am  I  to  any 
failing  or  defect  there  may  be  in  them.  I  mention  this 
because  the  amount  of  weight  to  be  given  to  what  any 
one  says  depends  in  no  inconsiderable  measure  upon  the 
character  of  his  mind.' 

During  the  spring  his  health  continued  to  improve. 
He  carried  on  a  large  correspondence  on  public  and 
private  interests,  including  letters  to  various  religious 
periodicals,  and  was  able  to  enjoy  his  usual  studies,  as 
well  as  to  read  tlie  Times  in  the  morning  and  the  Reccn^d^ 
in  the  evening. 

He  was  delighted  with  a  pamphlet,  on  the  subject  of  the 
Second  Advent,  sent  to  him  about  this  time  by  Dr.  Steven- 
son.^ A  warm  friendship,  arising  from  remarkable  sym- 
pathies of  heart  and  character,  had  long  existed  between 
them,  to  which  a  new  link  had  been  added,  in  the  previous 
year,  when,  at  the  Beddington  Prophetical  Conference, 
Dr.  Stevenson's  thoughts  had  been  first  led  to  dwell  on 
the  hope  of  the  near  approach  of  the  Coming  of  the  Lord. 

Before  my  father's  return  to  Beddington,  his  heart  was 
cheered  by  tidings  that  reached  him  from  his  parish,  of  a 
blessing  which  God  was  bestowing  there,  through  the  visit 
of  a  devoted  clergyman,^  who  has  taken  these  words  for 

1  The  reading  of  the  Record  was  a  great  enjoyment  to  him,  as  it 
seemed  for  the  time  to  carry  him  again  into  public  religious  interests, 
and  amongst  many  of  his  old  and  valued  friends. 

2  Vicar  of  Patrixbonme. 

3  Eev.  William  Haslam,  Rector  of  Buckenham,  Norfolk. 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAVE:>'. 


517 


the  motto  of  his  life,  *  Time  is  short — Souls  are  precious 
— Jestjs  is  worthy.' 

The  ground  had  been  well  prepared  by  the  faithful  and 
earnest  preaching  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ;  so  that  in  many 
hearts  the  good  seed  already  sown  now  took  root,  sprang 
up,  and  flourished.  There  could  be  no  doubt  as  to  the 
reality  of  the  change  in  them,  for  it  was  attested  by  new 
lives  and  happy  faces. 

The  work  thus  begiin  was  carefully  fostered  and  carried 
on  by  the  three  clergymen,  who  had  the  joy  of  seeing  it 
steadily  increase,  as  month  after  month  went  by. 

A  desire  was  soon  felt  by  many  to  join  in  prayer  for 
the  furtherance  of  this  blessiQg ;  and  it  was  expressed  to 
Mr.  OTiorke,  with  the  suggestion  that  those  who  wished 
should  be  invited  to  remaiQ  in  the  schoolroom,  at  Bed- 
dington  Comer,  for  imited  prayer,  after  the  conclusion  of 
the  Sunday  evening  service. 

He  gave  the  plan  careful  consideration  before  proposing 
it  to  my  father,  who  heartily  assented  to  it;  and  Mr. 
French  and  Mr.  Gordon  gladly  joined  in  carrying  it  out 

An  evident  blessing  rested  on  this  meeting.  Xot  only 
were  the  newly  awakened  watched  over  and  nurtured  in 
the  heavenly  life,  but  the  Christians  of  longer  standing 
were  also  greatly  strengthened  by  this  bond  of  fellowship. 

In  the  adjoining  parish  of  Mitcham  there  was  a  similar 
work  of  the  grace  of  God,  accounts  of  which  my  father 
heard  with  deep  interest,  firom  the  rector — a  grandson  of 
his  late  beloved  friend  Bishop  Wilson,  and  his  curate, 
the  Eev.  Eichard  Graves ;  whose  love  to  their  Saviour  and 
earnest  life  in  His  service  made  their  frequent  visits  to 


518  MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  ^VILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

Beddington  Eectory  a  source  of  much  pleasure  to  my 
father. 

TO  THE  EEV.  J.  H.  J.  HAXDCOCK. 

'  BeckexhajM  Rectory,  February  20,  1864. 

'  ]\Iy  dear  Mr.  Handcock, — You  ask  whether  I  believe 
that  the  full  assurance  of  faith  is  attainable,  and  that  it 
should  be  sought  for  by  every  one?  To  this  I  reply, 
Assuredly  I  do,  because  I  am  a  Churchman. 

'  The  service  of  our  Church  opens  with  the  announce- 
ment, "  He  pardoneth  and  absolveth  all  them  that  truly 
repent,  and  unfeignedly  believe  His  holy  Gospel."  In  the 
Collect  for  the  Second  Sunday  in  Advent,  we  are  taught 
by  our  Church  to  pray  "  that  we  may  embrace  and  ever 
hold  fast  the  blessed  hope  of  everlasting  life,"  etc.  Also, 
in  the  17th  Article,  it  is  declared,  "  that  the  godly  con- 
sideration of  our  election  in  Christ  .  .  .  doth  greatly 
establish  and  confirm  our  faith  of  eternal  salvation,  to  be 
enjoyed  through  Christ." 

'  Again,  most  assuredly  do  I  believe  that  this  full 
assurance  is  attainable,  and  should  be  sought  for  by  all, 
because  I  am  a  Christian,  and  believe  that  it  is  the 
design  of  Christianity  to  bring  us  into  a  state  of  ^:)g«c<:; 
with  God,"  by  declaring  that  Christ  has  "  died  for  our 
sins,  and  has  risen  again  for  our  justification."  And  our 
Saviour  Himself  hath  said,  "  He  that  heareth  my  word, 
and  believeth  on  Him  that  sent  me,  hath  everlasting  life, 
and  shall  not  come  into  condemnation,  but  is  passed  from 
death  unto  life." 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAVEX. 


519 


'  Yea,  moreover,  the  object  of  Christianity  is  to  raise 
us  to  that  highest  of  all  privileges,  even  joy  in  the  Lord. 
Xo  sooner  had  the  Philippian  jailor  believed  on  the 
Saviour  than  he  rejoiced  in  God.  Xo  sooner  had  Can- 
dace's  treasurer  believed  on  Christ  as  having  made  an 
atonement  for  sin,  than  "  he  went  on  his  way  rejoicing." 

'  This  joy  in  the  Lord  gives  great  strength  to  meet  trial 
and  to  perform  duty.  Then  why  do  not  all  believers 
partake  of  it  ? 

'  First,  Because  some  are  of  a  naturally  morbid  and 
dejected  turn  of  mind,  and  they  do  not  attain  to  joy 
because  they  do  not  ask  helieving  that  they  shall  receive 
(Matt.  xxi.  22). 

'  Secondly,  Because  of  inadequate  ^iews  of  the  fulness 
and  freeness  of  the  grace  that  is  in  Christ,  causing  doubts 
and  fears,  and  so  preventing  perfect  peace. 

'  Thirdly,  Because  of  some  indulged  sin,  in  heart  or  life, 
that  grieves  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  therefore  this  joy,  which 
is  one  of  His  fruits,  is  withheld.  But  such  should  pray, 
"  Show  me  wherefore  Thou  contendest  wdth  me  ?  If  I 
have  done  iniquity,  I  will  do  so  no  more."  And  all  should 
pray,  "  Remember  me  with  the  favour  which  Thou  bearest 
unto  Thy  people,  and  visit  me  with  Thy  salvation,  that  I 
may  see  the  felicity  of  Thy  chosen,  and  rejoice  in  the 
gladness  of  Thy  people,  and  gloi^y  with  Thine  inheritance." 

'  Thus  I  believe  that  assurance  is  attainable,  and  is  to  be 
sought  by  all ;  because  I  have  read,  and  I  believe,  my  Bible. 

*  See  the  following  passages  : — 2  Cor.  xiii.  5,  and  1  John 
V.  13,  which  latter  text  is  especially  interesting  when  com- 
pared with  John  xx.  31.    Paul  would  have  the  Philip- 


520 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


pians  "  rejoice  in  the  Lord  alway for  Christianity  is  a 
happy  as  well  as  a  holy  religion. 

'  Little  faith  is  safe,  but  it  is  not  so  happy  or  so  useful 
as  great  faith ;  and  no  one  should  be  content  with  little, 
when  he  might  have  much. — Yours  affectionately, 

'  William  Marsh.' 

to  james  grant,  esq. 

*  Dear  Mr.  Grant, — I  am  glad  that  your  inkstand  is 
not  dry.   I  want  you  to  write  on  the  following  subjects 
Grieving  the  Holy  Spirit;  quenching  the  Holy  Spirit; 
resisting  the  Holy  Spirit ;  doing  despite  to  the  Holy  Spirit. 

'  I  fear  these  important  subjects  are  too  much  over- 
looked. 

'  I  should  like  you  to  write  also  on  the  following  sub- 
jects : — The  evil  spirit  is  represented  as  a  destroyer  (roar- 
ing lion) ;  as  a  deceiver  (the  serpent) ;  as  an  adversary 
(Satan) ;  as  an  accuser  (the  devil). 

'  If  the  plans  of  the  evil  spirit  were  more  considered, 
and  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  more  invoked,  what  prayer 
there  might  be  ;  and  how  would  the  influence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  be  cherished ;  and  the  injury  of  grieving  or  quench- 
ing Him  be  manifest ;  and  the  extreme  danger  of  resisting 
Him,  or  doing  despite  to  Him,  be  evident. — Yours  faith- 
fully, Wm.  Marsh.' 

A  quarterly  clerical  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of 
the  Eev.  Eobert  Tritton,  rural  dean  at  Morden,  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Beddington,  and  although  my  father 


THE  THEESHOLD  OF  HEAVEX. 


521 


could  not  be  present,  yet  Mr.  Tritton's  thouglitful  kind- 
ness in  letting  him  know  beforehand  what  would  be  the 
passage  of  Scripture  under  discussion,  enabled  him  each 
time  to  take  his  regular  part  in  it,  by  writing  down  a  few 
thoughts  which  were  read  aloud  at  the  ensuing  meeting. 
A  copy  of  one  of  these  letters  had  been  taken,  from  which 
the  following  extracts  are  given  : — 

On  2  Timothy  i. 

'  Deae  Me.  Teittox, — In  accordance  with  your  re- 
quest, I  willingly  send  a  few  thoughts  on  the  passage  of 
Scripture  to  be  considered  at  your  next  meeting. 

'  Yer.  5. — I  have  often  been  much  delimited  in  observ- 
ing  (for  I  have  seen  it  in  many  families)  the  children  of 
believing  parents  following  in  their  steps,  and  the  promise 
being  fulfilled,  "  The  children  of  Thy  servants  shall  con- 
tinue, and  their  seed  shall  be  established  before  Thee  " 
(Ps.  ciL  28). 

'  With  regard  to  the  7 th  verse,  I  have  thought  that  it 
contains  all  that  we  principally  need.  In  discussing  this 
i  verse  some  time  ago  with  a  brother  clergyman,  I  differed 
from  him  in  thinking  that  the  word  "  power "  related  to 
the  authority  of  the  minister  over  the  people,  behe^ing  it 
in  that  place  to  mean  courage.  When  a  doubt  arises  as 
to  the  correct  rendering  of  a  word,  the  context  will  often 
decide  its  true  meaning. 

'  Here,  in  the  8tli  verse,  it  is  opposed  to  fear,  or  cowar- 
dice, to  which  temptations  the  ministers  of  Christ  in 
those  days  were  especially  subject,  in  consequence  of  the 
persecution  they  might  have  to  endure.' 


522  MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

A  well-known  Greek  scholar,  who  was  present  at  the 
time,  said,  that  undoubtedly  the  word  hvvafii^  was  used 
sometimes  in  the  sense  of  '  couras^e.' 

'  But  courage  must  be  softened  by  love,  and  courage 
and  love  must  be  under  the  direction  of  a  "  sound  mind  " 
to  make  the  completeness  of  the  Christian  character. 
"  Wisdom  is  profitable  to  direct,"  and  reading,  medita- 
tion, and  prayer  will  further  the  growth  of  this  heavenly 
wisdom,  and  keep  the  fire  burning — ava^wirvpeiv,  ver.  6. 

'  It  would  be  a  useful  petition  to  offer  up  every  morn- 
ing,— Give  me  the  spirit  of  power,  and  of  love,  and  of  a 
sound  mind." 

'  Ver.  9. — How  careful  the  Apostle  is  to  exclude  human 
merit  from  any  part  in  our  salvation ;  yet  there  never 
was  a  more  special  pleader  for  good  works  than  St.  Paul. 

'  In  this  verse  we  may  also  notice  that  he  ever  main- 
tains the  sovereignty  of  God,  which  is  always  exercised 
in  showing  mercy. 

'  In  the  6th  verse  he  equally  maintains  the  respon- 
sibility of  man. 

'  Ver.  10. — How  thankful  we  should  be  who  live  under 
the  light  and  liberty  of  the  Christian  dispensation  ! 

'Ver.  12. — What  courage  confidence  in  Christ  will 
give ! 

'  Ver.  14. — May  we  always  remember  how  dependent 
we  are  on  the  Holy  Ghost  for  the  reception,  maintenance, 
and  preservation  of  Divine  truth. 

'  Vers.  16-18. — The  servant,  like  his  Master,  notices 
and  remembers  every  act  of  kindness  shown  to  him. 


THE  THEESHOLD  OF  HEAVEX. 


523 


'  Oh,  hoic  much  is  contained  in  that  expression,  Find 
mercy  of  the  Lord  in  that  day  1" 

*  My  prayers  often  ascend  for  a  blessing  on  your 
clerical  meeting. 

'  The  folloAving  Collects  have  occurred  to  me  as  suitable 
to  this  subject : — The  Collect  for  St.  Stephen's  Day,  for 
Quinquagesima  Sunday,  and  for  the  Xinth  Sunday  after 
Trinity. — I  am,  dear  Mr.  Tritton,  yours  most  sincerely, 

*  William  IMaesh.' 

TO  HIS  GEAXD-DArCxHTEE. 

'  Mav  11.  1S(34. 

'  Deae  daelixg  LITTLE  LucT, —  .  .  .  "  Faith  Cometh  by 
hearing  and  hearins:  bv  the  Word  of  God,"  and  the  Word 
of  God  leads  to  the  Saviour,  and  the  Saviour  leads  us  to 
heaven.  That  Word  also  leads  us  to  seek  to  be  useful  to 
others  by  the  ^ay. 

'  A  poor  boy  subscribed  for  a  Bible.  When  it  was  brought 
to  him,  he  said,  "  I  only  want  the  first  parr.  I  will  not 
read  your  Christian  Scriptures,  I  am  a  Jew."  Those  who 
carried  the  Bible,  however,  persuaded  liim  to  keep  it. 
After  more  than  a  year  the  same  collectors  re-visited  this 
district.  They  inquired  for  the  boy  ;  a  poor  woman  said, 
"  All !  he  is  dead ;  we  all  remember  him.  He  used  to 
visit  the  sick  in  our  coim,  read  the  Bible  to  them,  and 
often  out  of  liis  little  earnings  give  them  a  few  pence." 

'  We  ask  for  "  power  from  on  higli "  to  be  given  to 
Captain  Trotter  and  ^Ir.  Blackwood,  for  theii^  addresses  at 
Willis's  Booms.    My  love  to  dear  Lord  and  Lady  Kintore  ; 


521  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

and  tell  tliem  I  pray  /or  a  deep  and  lasting  blessing  to 
rest  on  all  their  endeavours  to  hasten  the  coming  and  the 
kingdom  of  our  Lord  J esus  Christ.  The  sowing-time  will 
soon  be  over,  and  then  the  sowers  and  reapers  will  shout 
together  at  the  Harvest  Home.  You  will  like  -to  read  the 
enclosed.  It  gives  a  pleasant  glimpse  into  the  happy 
and  useful  lives  which  our  dear  little  Mya  and  Mr.  BoUand 
are  leading  in  the  midst  of  their  crowded  parish.  ^Vhat 
changes  I  have  seen  wrought  in  various  places,  during  my 
long  lifetime,  by  the  untiring  efforts  of  many  a  devoted 
evangelical  clergyman  of  our  Church.  They  have  been 
workers,  indeed  !  But  still  the  labourers  are  few  compared 
to  the  need  of  the  vast  fields  of  corn  standing  "  white 
unto  the  harvest,"  so  that  we  may  bless  G-od  for  sending 
us  again,  in  these  latter  days,  the  help  of  laymen  full  of 
faith  and  power,"  "  sanctified  and  meet  for  the  Master's 
use."  .  .  .  Give  my  love  to  dear  Car  Maitland,  and  bid 
her  come  and  see  her  old  friend  on  her  way  back  to  Park 
Place. — Ever  your  loving  grandfather.' 

TO  THE  REV.  DAWSON  MASSEY. 

'June  24,  1864. 

'  Dear  Mr.  Massey, — I  shall  receive  with  thankfulness 
such  a  gift.  Sure  I  am  that  when  I  have  read  it  I  shall 
have  to  thank  you  again,  and  most  readily  to  recommend 
it.  You  have  taken  the  history  of  an  interesting  period. 
So  many  centuries  under  Pagan  Eome  and  under  Papal 
Eome,  twin  sisters. 

*  That  the  professed  teachers  of  mankind  should  have 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAYEX. 


525 


been  the  deceivers  of  mankind  will  form  a  melanclioly 
chapter  in  the  history  of  our  world.  Yet  so  it  has  been — 
to  wit, — Brahmins  among  the  Indians,  Monlvies  among 
the  Mahometans,  Eabbis  among  the  Jews,  and  Priests 
among  the  Christians. 

'  Where  the  Scriptures  are  unkno\\Ti  or  neglected,  error 
must  prevail.  The  Bible  is  the  only  infallible  book  of 
faith  and  practice.  The  opposition  of  the  Church  of 
Eome  to  the  study  of  it,  in  itself  proves  that  she  is  no 
longer  a  Church  of  Christ ;  and  yet  we  hope  that  numbers 
of  Eomanists,  after  all,  trust  only  in  the  Saviour, — and  so 
will  help  to  fill  His  kingdom. 

'  We  are  praying  that  Ireland  may  obtain  increase  of 
light.  God  bless  you  in  all  your  labours  to  win  sinners 
to  the  Saviour,  and  to  lead  believers  to  adorn  His  doctrine. 
Many  thanks  for  the  sweet  text  which  you  have  sent  to 
old  eighty-nine. — Yours  ever  affectionately, 

'  Wm.  Marsh.' 

He  has  more  than  once  described  the  difference  between 
a  true  and  false  religion,  by  standing  before  us,  first  as  a 
teacher  of  a  false  religion  with  a  closed  Bible  behind  him, 
saying,  '  You  are  to  believe  what  I  tell  you,  and  be  satis- 
fied with  the  voice  of  the  church.'  Then  coming  forward 
as  a  teacher  of  the  true  religion,  with  the  Bible  wide  open, 
he  would  say,  '  Believe  nothing  that  I  teach  you  which 
you  cannot  prove  for  yourselves  by  most  certain  warrant 
from  Holy  Scripture.' 


526 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


TO  MISS  MANN. 

'  .  .  .  "  The  accuser  of  the  brethren/'  in  order  to  harass 
and  hinder  them,  brings  past  sins  before  them  again  and 
again,  after  they  have  been  repented  of,  and  washed  away 
in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  forsaken.  But  they  were 
all  foreknown  and  pardoned  when  the  Saviour  said,  "  It 
is  finished." 

'  "  Only  believe."  The  plan  for  us  is, — Believe  and  be 
at  peace ;  believe  and  love ;  believe  and  work ;  believe 
and  suffer ;  believe  and  die ;  believe  and  go  to  heaven. 
"  Lord,  increase  our  faith  ! " 

'  One  of  the  old  divines  said,  when  on  a  dying-bed,  "  A 
list  of  all  my  sins  was  presented  to  me.  I  knew  it  was 
done  by  the  enemy ;  so  I  said.  Write  at  the  bottom,  '  The 
blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  from  all  sin  f  and  the 
temptation  to  despair  fled  away." — Yours  truly, 

'  Wm.  Marsh.' 

The  two  following  letters,  although  they  have  found  a 
place  here  considerably  beyond  their  date,  could  scarcely 
be  omitted  without  loss  : — 

TO  THE  LATE  COLONEL  JACOB,  BOMBAY  ARTILLERY,  ON  THE 
DEATH  OF  HIS  WIFE,  WHICH  TOOK  PLACE  ONLY  A  YEAR 
BEFORE  HIS  OW^N. 

'Eectory,  Beckenham,  March  18. 

'  Dear  Colonel  Jacob, — I  have  known  what  it  is  to  be 
turned  out  of  Paradise,  and  can  indeed  sympatliize  with 
you.    All  I  could  say  for  some  time  was,  "Thou  art 


THE  THRESHOLD  OF  HEAVEX. 


527 


righteous,  0  Lord !"  but  when  I  could  reflect  upon  the 
happiness  of  the  departed,  the  grief  was  a  little  assuaged. 

'  How  difficult  it  is  not  to  look  down  into  the  grave 
when  it  is  actually  open — yea,  and  oftentimes  after  that : 
but  she  is  not  there.  AVherever  Paradise  is,  there  are 
the  blessed  dead  We  are  therefore  taught  to  look 
upward. 

'  I  have  just  been  preaching  on  Psalm  xciv.  19  :  In 
the  multitude  of  my  thoughts  within  me,  Thy  comforts 
delight  my  souL"  15^*,  The  state  of  mind  here  described. 
2c?,  The  consolation  afforded. 

'  I  will  only  send  you  some  of  the  latter. 

*  Sorrow  may  not  be  speedily  removed,  but  it  shall  be 
alleyiated  by  covenant  truths  and  promises  :  By  positive 
jassurances  of  good  from  all  events ;  and  by  the  prospect 
of  our  future  rest. 

'  God  has  loved  His  people  with  an  everlasting  love. 
Therefore  all  His  arrangements  for  time  have  a  reference 
to  their  good  in  eternity. 

'  But  the  Comforter  alone  can  truly  comfort  (^Prov. 
XXV.  20). 

'May  that  Eternal  Spirit  bring  every  alleviating  and 
consolator}"  thought  to  your  mind. 

'  Tears,  indeed,  are  not  forbidden.  It  was  at  a  grave 
that — "  J esus  wept."    He  can  sympathize  with  you. 

*  God  help  us  all  to  look  forward  to  His  kingdom, 
in  which  tears  are  for  ever  wiped  away. — Yours  veiy 
truly, 

'  Wm.  Maesh.' 


528 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLLVM  MARSH,  D.D. 


TO  THE  LATE  HONOURABLE  MRS.  MACKENZIE,  ON  THE  DEATH 
OF  HER  LAST  SURVIVING  SON,  AGED  TWENTY-ONE. 

'  Dear  Mrs.  Mackenzie, — What  can  I  say  to  comfort 
you  ?  Dear  Frank  came  of  age,  and  was  immediately  put 
in  possession  of  his  estate  in  Paradise.  Follow  him  there 
in  thought,  as  you  will  at  the  appointed  time  in  person. 
Then  also  you  will  see  what  he  has  escaped  in  this  world 
of  trial,  sin,  and  suffering. 

'  Some  live  a  long  life  in  a  short  time.  It  was  so  with_ 
him.  Though  not  in  age,  yet  in  grace ;  he  was  like  a 
shock  of  corn  that  cometh  in,  in  his  season  — 

"  To  such  we'll  follow  on, 
Leaning  on  Jesus  all  the  way, 
Who  on  our  hearts  lets  clown  a  ray 
Of  comfort  from  His  Throne." 

'  Perhaps  faith  could  never  be  fully  exercised,  if  circum- 
stances we  suppose  improbable  under  the  government  of 
love,  did  not  arise.  "  If  thou  hadst  been  here,  my  brother 
had  not  died."  A  natural  thought.  But  we  know  the 
reason  why  Lazarus  died,  and  though  indeed  the  veil  was 
very  soon  removed  in  that  case,  yet,  it  is  but  a  little  while 
and  the  veil  will  be  removed  in  other  cases. 

'  I  was  glad  darling  Katie  was  well  enough  to  go  at 
once  to  Cambridge.  She  found  in  your  dear  daughter  a 
remarkable  example  of  faith  and  resignation.  The  good 
Lord  comfort  you  all,  and  give  you  bright  views  of  the 
coming  re-union— the  coming  glory  of  the  Lord  and  aU 
His  people. — With  hearty  sympathy,  yours  very  affec- 
tionately, Wm.  Marsh.* 


CHAPTER  XYII. 


'WITHIX  SIGHT  OF  THE  CITY.' 

'  The  Celestial  City  is  fiill  in  my  view.  Its  glories  have  shone 
upon  me,  its  breezes  fan  me,  its  odours  are  wafted  to  me,  its 
sounds  strike  upon  my  ears,  and  its  spirit  is  breathed  into  my 
heart.  Nothing  separates  me  from  it  but  the  Eiver  of  Death, 
which  now  appears  but  as  a  rilh  that  may  be  crossed  at  a  step.' 

Payson. 


'WITHIN  SIGHT  OF  THE  CITY.' 


At  midsummer  of  1864,  Mr.  French,  whose  services 
my  father  had  highly  appreciated  for  his  parish,  was 
appointed  to  a  church  in  Cheltenham.  The  following 
extract  from  his  farewell  letter  will  show  how  deeply 
he,  on  his  part,  had  valued  the  association  with  my 
father : — 

*  My  dear  Dr.  Marsh, — I  do  thank  you  most  sincerely 
for  all  the  fatherly  kindness  and  consideration  you  have 
shown  me  since  I  became  your  curate.  And  I  trust 
my  ministry,  whether  long  or  short,  may  ever  bear  the 
impression  of  Beddington  and  Beckenham, — the  Bethany 
and  Bethphage,  I  would  fain  believe,  the  blessed  Lord 
would  have  chosen  had  He  preached  to  London  instead 
of  to  Jerusalem.' 


The  glowing  beauty  of  the  cloudless  summer  of  that  year 
seemed  to  be  reflected  about  him.  Never  had  we  seen  his 
face  so  brilliant  in  colouring  and  expression— never  had 
the  charm  of  his  conversation  been  more  rich  and  spark- 


532  MEMOIPw  OF  EEY.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

ling — never  had  his  heart  of  love  so  poured  forth  its 
heavenly  warmth  and  tenderness. 

All  the  lingering  symptoms  of  his  long  illness  had  been 
mercifully  removed,  and  we  only  knew  how  fragile  was 
the  life  just  verging  on  its  ninetieth  year,  by  the  increas- 
ing transparency  and  beauty  of  his  face,  just  as  our  hearts 
faintly  foretold  his  nearness  to  heaven  by  looks  and  tones 
and  ways  too  lovely  for  earth. 

More  than  ever  he  was  the  centre  of  delight  to  his 
family.  Every  hour  seemed  to  have  suffered  loss  which 
was  passed  away  from  him.  Yet  his  presence,  with  his 
own  close  and  evident  communing  with  his  Saviour,  his 
earnest  charges  to  all  to  work  while  it  is  day,  and  his  warm 
sympathy  and  fervent  prayers  for  blessing  in  every  at- 
tempt to  serve  that  Master,  stimulated  those  about  him 
to  fresh  efforts  in  such  service. 

The  home  circle  was  frequently  enlarged  by  the  visits 
of  those  whom  we  knew  would  especially  value  the  pri- 
vileeje  of  seeing  him,  and  hearinc?  him  converse.  Amongst 
these,  the  youngest  daughter  of  his  valued  friend  the 
late  Mr.  Hardy,  M.P.  for  Bradford,  well  known  for  his 
noble  Christian  character,  clear  scriptural  views,  and  stead- 
fast Protestantism,  was  staying  at  the  rectory  for  part  of 
that  summer.  The  youngest  sister  of  Hedley  Vicars  came 
to  pay  a  farewell  visit  before  leaving  England  with  her 
husband,  the  Eev.  Frederick  Tayler,  who  liad  been  ap- 
pointed Head  of  the  College  of  Perth  in  Australia.  The 
young  clergyman,  whose  frank  and  manly  character  at 
once  attracted  my  fathei\  beheld  with  admiration  and 
delight  the  aged  saint  who  had  entered  the  land  of  Beulah, 


*  WITHIX  SIGHT  OF  THE  CITY.' 


533 


•  where  the  sun  shineth  night  and  daj ; '  and  just  before 
:hey  sailed  he  wrote,  that  the  memory  of  that  face  would 
^^ver  be  a  call  to  them  to  '  serve  the  Lord  with  gladness' 
iu  their  distant  home.  The  daughter  of  Lord  Wriotheslej 
Eussell  had  asked  to  bring  a  friend  who  had  been  educated 
at  a  school  in  her  father's  parish,  and  was  one  of  the  members 
of  his  Bible  class.  After  preparing  her  for  confirmation,  he 
had  watched  with  hopefulness  her  growing  interest  in  the 
thinijs  of  God ;  but  now,  when  she  was  returnin^r  to  her 
home,  with  her  heart  still  wavering  between  the  world 
aud  Christ,  it  occurred  to  his  devoted  Christian  wife  and 
(laughter  that  it  might  be  the  turning-point  of  her  life  if 
she  could  see  how  bright  aud  beautiful  was  the  sunset 
light  of  a  day — the  morning,  noon,  and  evening  of  which 
iiad  alike  been  spent  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  The  answer 
to  their  prayers  was  granted;  for,  during  the  visit,  that 
young  heart  surrendered  itself  to  the  Saviour  s  call 

The  evenings  were  chiefly  passed  around  my  father's 
arm-chair  in  the  drawing-room ;  and  often  he  would  lay 
down  his  book,  and  hold  his  listeners  entranced  by  anec- 
dotes of  his  early  friends  and  early  days,  and  of  wonders 
wrought  by  the  gi-ace  of  God,  all  told  with  an  animation 
and  charm  which  carried  his  hearers  into  the  very  centre 
i:)f  the  scenes  he  described. 

Then  he  woidd  pause  for  a  time  and  resume  his  read- 
ing, and  again  his  rejoicing  spirit  would  break  forth  in 
singing  some  of  the  hymns  of  praise  he  loved  so  well 

It  was  his  wish,  with  reference  to  his  birthday  gather- 
ing, that  this  year  there  shoidd  be  connected  with  it  a  call 
to  liis  clerical  brethren,  to  meet  specially  for  prayer  and 


534  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

addresses  on  the  subject  of  the  Coming  of  the  Lord.  Several 
laymen  were  also  invited,  and  the  day  fixed  for  it  was 
Tuesday  the  1 9th  of  July,  the  eve  of  his  birthday.  When 
we  recall  the  thought  and  prayer  with  which  he  arranged 
the  plans  for  both  these  meetings.,  it  seems  to  us  now  that 
there  must  have  mingled  with  the  gladness  with  which  he 
looked  forward  to  tlie  festival,  a  solemn  yet  joyful  pre- 
sentiment that  it  was  to  be  his  last  anniversary  on  earth. 

The  following  was  the  form  of  invitation  which  he  sent 
for  the  19th  :— 

'  "  THE  NIGHT  IS  FAR  SPENT,  THE  DAY  IS  AT  HAND." 

'  We  intend,  therefore,  in  obedience  to  the  apostolic 
command,  to  "  assemble  ourselves  together,  and  to  exhort 
one  another,  so  much  the  more  as  we  see  the  day  ap- 
proaching." 

'  Will  you  join  our  gathering  here  at  half-past  three 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  Tuesday,  the  19th  instant? 
And,  in  the  meanwhile,  unite  with  us  in  fervent  prayer, 
that  the  power  of  the  Lord  may  be  present  with  us,  that 
we  may  be  "  filled  with  joy  and  with  the  Holy  Ghost," 
"  looking  for  and  hasting  unto  the  coming  of  the  day  of 
God." — Your  faithful  servant  and  brother  in  the  Lord, 

'  William  Marsh.' 

Hearty  and  numerous  were  the  responses  to  this  invi- 
tation, and  those  who  were  present  will  not  soon  forget 
the  power  with  which  he  spoke  that  day ;  the  clear  testi- 
mony to  the  blessedness  of  resting  alone  on  the  finished 
work  of  Christ,  of  walking  in  conscious,  unbroken  com- 


'  WITHIN  SIGHT  OF  THE  CITY.' 


535 


mimion  with  Him,  and  of  looking  for  His  coming  glory ; 
nor  the  pouring  out  of  his  soul  in  prayer,  and  the  sudden 
hurst  of  sacred  song — the  overflow  of  the  joy  with  which 
he  *  drew  water  from  the  wells  of  salvation.' 

After  alluding  to  the  more  widely  diffused  expectation 
of  the  near  Coming  of  the  Lord,  and  to  the  numerous  cal- 
culations of  dates  in  the  prophecies  which  converge  in  the 
present  decade,  he  went  on  to  say — '  But  be  that  as  it  may, 
we  are  expressly  told  by  an  apostle,  that  the  First  and 
Second  Advents  of  the  Messiah  are  the  great  subjects  of 
Holy  Writ,  for  the  Spirit  of  Christ  was  in  all  the  prophets, 
testifying  beforehand  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ  and  of  the 
glory  that  should  follow.  For  what  end  did  the  Eedeemer 
come  into  this  world  ?  He  came  to  glorify  God,  to  magnify 
the  law,  to  make  "  a  full,  perfect,  and  sufiicient  sacrifice" 
for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world,  to  offer  a  free  pardon  to 
guilty  man,  and  so  to  take  out  of  the  way  every  obstacle 
which  hindered  his  coming  to  God  for  pardon,  peace,  and 
grace  here,  and  for  glory  hereafter. 

'  At  the  First  Advent  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ,  it  appears  to  me  that  He  came  especially  to  exer- 
cise the  office  of  a  prophet,  as  the  great  Prophet  that  should 
come  into  the  world. 

'  Since  His  ascension  into  heaven,  His  work  as  a  propliet 
being  ended,  He  has  assumed  the  office  of  a  priest ;  the 
forerunner  is  for  us  entered  within  the  veil,  "  even  Jesus, 
made  an  High  Priest  for  ever."  By  His  intercession,  He 
keeps  the  way  open  to  the  throne  of  grace,  and  therefore 
mercy  and  grace  can  flow  freely  to  us. 

'  Some,  alas,  have  a  very  imperfect  view  of  the  way  in 


536  MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

which  God  deals  with  man.  They  have  not  got  a  proper 
understanding  of  either  His  justice  or  His  mercy.  They 
look  upon  the  work  of  Christ  as  accomplished  in  the 
perfect  example  which  He  left  to  us  by  His  life,  and 
overlook  the  purpose  of  His  death  as  the  sacrifice  for 
the  sins  of  the  world,  that  He  might  be  at  the  same  time 
"  a  just  God  and  a  Saviour." 

'Doubtless  the  blessed  Eedeemer  left  us  an  example 
that  we  should  follow  His  steps ;  and  the  more  watch- 
fully, prayerfully,  and  faithfully  we  follow  in  that  blessed 
pathway,  the  fuller  will  be  our  peace,  the  brighter  will 
be  our  hght,  the  wider  will  be  our  usefulness.  But 
equally  without  doubt  His  death  took  place  that  we 
might  be  pardoned  and  accepted  through  it  alone,  and 
have  life  and  peace  in  time,  and  glory  in  eternity. 

'A  ]^oor  man  who  had  sought  and  found  salvation 
through  Jesus  Christ,  and  was  rejoicing  in  Him,  was  asked 
by  a  friend  whether  he  did  not  fear  that  his  soul  would  be 
in  danger  if  he  should  lose  his  joy.  He  replied,  "  Xever  ! 
for  I  am  on  the  Eock,  and  though  I  may  tremble  on  the 
Ptock,  the  Eock  never  trembles  under  me." 

'  AMiat  a  beautiful  view  is  given  to  us  of  the  perfection 
of  the  work  of  our  blessed  Eedeemer,  in  that  He  could  say 
with  His  dying  breath,  "  It  is  finished." 

'  Dear  friends,  on  that  short  saying  /  red  all  my  hopes  of 
eternal  life,  and  I  beseech  you  all  to  do  the  same. 

*  But  now  let  me  speak  to  you  of  the  Second  Advent, 
which  is  the  Christian's  g^eat  hope  (as  the  First  Advent  is 
the  foundation  of  his  faith) ;  for  then  Christ  will  assume 
His  office  of  King ;  and  not  till  then  will  the  great  enemy 


'  WITHLS'  SIGHT  OF  THE  CITY/ 


537 


of  souls,  the  "  accuser  of  the  brethren,"  be  bound,  error  be 
banished,  sin  be  subdued,  and  creation  cease  to  groan ; 
because  at  His  coming  He  will  establish  the  kingdom  of 
truth,  righteousness,  and  peace.  "What  Christian  is  there 
who,  believing  this,  when  he  hears  the  Saviour's  voice 
sajdng,  Surely  I  come  quickly,"  wiU  not  reply,  "  Amen, 
even  so,  come.  Lord  Jesus !" 

'  The  First  Advent  is  the  source  of  all  our  hopes  of 
eternal  life  ;  but  when  we  have  been  admitted  ficeely  into 
the  kingdom  of  glory  through  the  Saviours  obedience 
unto  death,  we  shall  find,  at  the  Second  Advent,  that 
there  is  nothing  that  we  have  either  done  or  suffered  for 
Him  that  will  not  be  graciously  remembered,  and  even 
rewarded  by  Him. 

'  "  Therefore,  my  beloved  brethi-en,  be  ye  steadfast,  un- 
moveable,  always  aboimding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord, 
forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  your  labour  is  not  in  vain  in 
the  Lord." 

'  Be  steadfast  in  this  faith,  that  Christ  died  for  our  sins. 

'  Be  unmoveable  from  this  hope,  that  through  His  re- 
•surrection  all  who  believe  on  Him  shall  have  a  joyful 
resurrection,  when  all  sins  and  all  infirmities  shall  be  gone 
for  ever.  For  "  So  also  is  the  resurrection  of  the  dead. 
It  is  sown  in  corruption ;  it  is  raised  in  incoiTuption.  It 
is  sown  in  dishonour ;  it  is  raised  in  glory.  It  is  sown  in 
weakness ;  it  is  raised  in  power.  It  is  sown  a  natural 
body  ;  it  is  raised  a  spiritual  body." 

'  Lastly,  be  alway  s  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord. 
The  fruit  of  such  work  may  be,  and  often  is,  seen  even 
here,  and  most  certainly  shall  be  seen  hereafter ;  for  "  the 


538  MEMOin  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

day  shall  declare  it,"  and  the  reward  shall  be  reaped,  for 
"  ye  know  that  your  labour  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord." 

'  I  remember  a  good  minister,  who  said,  when  leaving  a 
country  parish  for  a  charge  in  London,  "  I  do  not  know 
that  I  have  been  a  blessing  to  one  soul  in  this  place."  But 
not  long  after  this  he  received  a  letter,  signed  by  a  hun- 
dred and  twenty  persons,  thanking  him  for  the  good  they 
had  derived  from  his  ministry. 

'  A  faithful  and  prayerful  discharge  of  religious,  moral, 
and  social  duties  and  services  can  never  be  "  in  vain  in 
the  Lord."  This  is  illustrated  in  His  parable  of  the 
talents  (Luke  xix.  12-28). 

'  Oh  what  a  Saviour  is  ours,  who  forgets  our  sins  !  "  I, 
even  I,  am  He  that  blotteth  out  thy  transgressions  for 
mine  own  sake,  and  will  not  remember  thy  sins."  "  The 
blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin." 

'  Oh  what  a  Saviour  is  ours,  who  never  forgets  our  ser- 
vices, however  poor  and  imperfect !  "  Verily  I  say  unto 
you,  Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of  the  least  of 
these  my  brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto  Me." 

'  Let  us  then  diligently  "  search  the  Scriptures,"  which 
make  known  to  us  such  a  Saviour  and  such  a  Master. 

'  Trust  in  the  finished  work  of  salvation  accomplished 
by  Christ  at  His  First  Advent,  and  look  for  the  glory  to 
be  revealed  at  His  Second  Advent ;  that,  when  He  says, 
"Surely  I  come  quickly!"  you  may  be  ready  to  reply, 
"  Amen  :  even  so,  come.  Lord  Jesus." ' 

The  20th  of  July  was  celebrated  as  usual  by  a  large 
gathering  of  poor  and  rich,  all  invited  to  an  early  tea  on 


'  WITHIN  SIGHT  OF  THE  CITT/ 


.539 


the  rectoiy  lawn.  It  was  one  of  the  sunniest  days  of  that 
brilliant  summer ;  friends  gathered  around  him,  from  far 
and  near,  to  wish  him  joy  on  entering  his  ninetieth  year ; 
and  nothing  seemed  to  be  wanting  to  add  to  the  interest 
and  grace  of  the  scene. 

The  first  visitors  who  arrived  were  two  who  held  places 
very  near  his  heart,  the  Duchess  of  Sutherland  and  Lord 
Shaftesbury.  Two  years  earlier  the  Duchess  had  made 
his  acquaintance,  and  from  that  time  had  ever  been 
regarded  by  him  with  tender  and  prayerful  interest.  On 
his  preceding  birthday,  she  had  brought  him  a  beautiful 
copy  of  the  "  Bible,  with  Commentary  wholly  biblical,'' 
which  was  treasured  by  him  with  special  value.  The 
charm  of  her  bright  and  gentle  presence  from  time  to 
time,  with  her  open  communication  and  warm  sympathy 
on  the  subjects  nearest  his  heart,  combined  with  her 
unvar}'ing  thoughtfulness  about  him  in  absence,  were 
amongst  the  pleasures  which  a  lo^-ing  Father  had  pro- 
vided so  richly  for  his  aged  servant  to  enjoy  in  his  last 
years  out  of  Paradise. 

The  next  who  arrived  was  his  valued  old  friend,  the 
Eev.  Henr}'  Venn,  of  the  Church  Missionary  Societ>%  with 
the  first  black  bishop,  just  then  on  the  eve  of  his  departure 
for  his  diocese  of  Abbeokuta  and  the  Xiger.  To  him  my 
father  said,  '  If  a  man  desire  the  office  of  a  bishop,  what 
saith  the  Word  of  God  that  he  desiretli? — a  large  in- 
come?— a  palace? — to  be  called  "my  lord?"  !N"oI  "he 
desiretli  a  good  world'  TTork  for  Christ  is  the  true 
honour  of  the  bishop  And  turning  to  Mr.  Venn  he  said, 
'  You,  dear  brother,  have  large  opportunities  of  working 


540 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


for  Christ ;  continue  to  work  zealously,  faithfully,  prayer- 
fully.   Work  while  it  is  day.' 

Between  three  and  four  hundred  women  and  girls  were 
assembled  round  the  tea-tables  on  the  lawn ;  and  on  the 
terrace  which  overlooked  it,  their  aged  rector,  in  his 
wheel-chair,  was  surrounded  by  others  of  his  parishioners, 
and  new  friends,  and  old  friends, — some  of  whom  had  not 
seen  him  for  many  a  year  ;  amongst  these  were  Lord  and 
Lady  Mayo^  and  their  daughter ;  a  beloved  sister  of  Hedley 
Vicars,  with  her  husband,  the  Eev.  Leonard  Burrows  of 
Eugby;  Mr.  Goodhart;  Mr.  Auriol,  and  several  other  of 
my  father's  clerical  brethren,  besides  many  of  the  laity, 
gathered  around  him.  Behind  his  chair,  in  their  scarlet 
turbans  and  dark-blue  flowing  robes,  stood  two  Afghans  ;^ 
and  on  his  right  hand  stood  the  Archbishop  of  Canter- 
bury, now  benevolently  enjoying  the  scene,  again  looking 
with  reverence  on  the  holy  and  radiant  face  of  the 
patriarch  by  his  side,  and  then,  at  his  request,  com- 
mencing the  service  of  the  day  with  prayer. 

1  From  a  letter  from  Mr.  Venn,  who  also  wrote  of  tliis  interview  as 
follows  : — '  Upon  my  rejoining  Bishop  Crowther,  after  seeing  your 
beloved  and  revered  grandfather,  he  said  to  me  that  the  venerable 
man  appeared  so  ready  for  his  entrance  into  glory,  that  he  almost  ex- 
pected it  might  take  place  that  moment.' 

2  Since  that  time  Lady  Mayo  has  also  entered  into  rest,  saying  on 
her  dying  bed,  '  Lord  Jesus,  take  me  quickly  to  Thyself  I  T  long  to 
be  with  Thee.' 

Ghoolam,  one  of  these  Afghans,  had  formed  such  a  reverent 
attachment  to  my  father,  that  when  the  tidings  reached  him  that  he 
had  j)assed  into  the  presence  of  his  Saviour,  he  exclaimed,  '  His  reli- 
gion shall  now  be  my  religion,  his  God  shall  be  my  God ;  for  I  must 
go  where  he  is,  and  see  his  face  again  ! ' 


'  WITIIIX  SIGHT  OF  THE  CITY.' 


5-il 


After  this,  many  voices  joined  in  the  hymn  which  thus 
begins, — 

*  Lord,  I  hear  of  showers  of  Llessing 
Thou  art  scattering  full  and  free, 
Showers  the  thirsty  land  refreshing, 
Let  some  droppings  fall  on  me, 

Even  me.' 

The  singing  was  accompanied  hv  a  harmonium,  which 
had  been  placed  on  the  terrace,  and  was  played  by  Mr. 
Hawkins  (afterwards  ordained  to  the  curacy  of  Becken- 
ham),  who  had  won  my  father's  affectionate  regard  from 
the  days  when  he  was  one  of  the  first  to  propose  the  Bible- 
reading  amongst  the  cadets  at  Addiscombe,  and,  as  a  sub- 
officer,  to  open  his  room  for  it. 

Every  sound  was  hushed,  when  the  first  words  were 
lieard  from  my  father's  lips,  as  he  began : 

*  Beloved  friends, — including  all  my  dear  parishioners 
here, — One  of  the  first  martyrs,  at  his  trial,  said,  "Eirjhty 
and  six  years  have  I  served  Christ,  and  He  has  never 
forsaken  me,  and  I  will  not  forsake  Him  in  my  old  age." 
And,  faithful  to  his  word,  he  died  a  mart}T. 

'  Although  I  cannot  number  so  many  years  in  the 
service  of  that  blessed  Master,  this  I  can  say,  seventy-one 
years  ago  a  faithful  and  revered  minister  of  Christ  taught 
me  to  love  my  Bible,  showed  me  that  it  was  the  Word  of 
God,  and  the  only  book  in  our  world  which  could  teach 
us  the  way  of  salvation. 

'  That  man  was  Mr.  Cadogan.  The  Lord  Chancellor  of 
that  day — Thurlow — passing  through  Pleading,  heard  from 
the  landlord  of  the  Crown  Hotel  that  the  vicar  of  St. 
Giles's  Church  was  just  dead.    The  li\'ing  was  in  his  gift ; 


542  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

and  Lord  Thurlow  made  up  liis  mind  at  once  as  to  the 
disposal  of  it.  Early  the  next  morning  he  went  to 
Caversham  Park,  then  the  residence  of  Lord  Cadogan, 
for  whom  he  inquired.  The  servant  replied,  "  You  can't 
see  his  lordship  yet ;  but  you  may  sit  down  in  the  hall, 
if  you  like." 

'  So  the  Lord  Chancellor  sat  down ;  and,  after  some 
time  had  passed,  Lord  Cadogan  came  through  the  hall, 
and  started  with  surprise  as  he  recognised  his  unexpected 
guest. 

'  "  Why,  my  Lord  Chancellor  !  how  came  you  here  ?" 
'  "  Your  servant  gave  me  leave  to  sit  down  in  your 
hall." 

'  So,  after  a  good  laugh  together,  they  went  into  the 
breakfast-room.  The  Lord  Chancellor  then  said,  "  I 
heard  that  the  vicar  of  St.  Giles's  was  dead,  and  I  thought 
it  might  be  pleasant  to  your  family  and  to  your  son  if  I 
offered  him  the  living." 

'  It  was  accepted.  And  that  was  the  manner  in  which 
Mr.  Cadogan's  ministry  was  brought  to  Eeading.  I  have 
thought  very  often  of  him  lately,  because  he  taught  me  to 
love  my  Bible,  and  to  believe  that  it  made  known  salva- 
tion to  fallen  man ;  and  from  that  time  a  friendship  was 
formed  between  us  which  lasted  till  his  death.  At  his 
first  entrance  on  the  ministry  he  did  not  so  clearly  know 
the  way  of  salvation  as  he  afterwards  learned  and  preached 
it ;  but  he  had  great  earnestness  and  zeal  on  the  subject 
of  religion,  and  that  is  a  good  beginning. 

'  A  former  acquaintance  wished  to  lend  him  the  works 
of  Paine  and  Voltaire ;  he  wrote  him  word  in  reply,  that 


'  WITHIN'  SIGHT  OF  THE  CITY,' 


543 


lie  had  not  yet  done  with  Moses  and  the  prophets.  An 
admirable  determination,  that !  And  we  shall  never  have 
done  with  Moses  and  the  prophets,  because  thev  are  "  the 
servants  of  the  Most  High  God,  and  show  nnto  us  the 
way  of  salvation  afterwards  more  fully  developed  in  the 
Xew  Testament. 

'  On  the  death  of  Mr.  Cadogan,  a  tablet  was  erected  to 
liis  memory  in  St.  Giles's  Church.  Bacon,  who  was 
chosen  as  the  sculptor,  begged  permission  to  write  the 
epitaph.  Having  given  the  name  and  date,  he  carved  a 
pillar  with  these  words  upon  it,  "  I  will  make  him  a 
pillar  in  the  temple  of  my  God."  And  on  the  tablet  he 
thus  described  ^Ir.  Cadogan  as  a  minister :  "  Chiist  was 
his  theme,  his  refuge,  and  his  joy." 

'  It  was  this  that  gave  energy  to  his  ministr}',  and  suc- 
cess to  his  labours.  His  last  words  were,  I  die  in  the 
faith  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  iii  love  to  all  mankind,  and  in 
special  love" — here  his  voice  failed;  it  was  supposed  he 
was  going  to  add,  "  to  all  Christian  brethren." 

*  I  have  paraphrased  that  epitaph  thus,  "  Christ  was  his 
theme  as  a  minister,  his  refuge  as  a  sinner,  his  joy  as  a 
believer." 

'  I  need  not  dwell  on  Christ  his  theme  as  a  minister,  ' 
before  you,  my  beloved  friends  in  the  ministiy,  who  are 
here  to-day,  because  I  believe  Christ  is  your  theme.  But 
let  me  say  a  few  words  to  all  present  on  ••'  Christ  his 
refuge  as  a  sinner."  Dear  friends,  what  other  refuo;e 
have  we  ?  The  law  of  God  condemns  us.  Under  that 
condemnation  we  must  be  banished  from  the  Divine 
"  presence.    But  Jesus  Christ  is  the  refuge,    the  shadow 


544 


MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  land."  By  faith  I  come  to  my 
Saviour,  and  I  find  He  has  fulfilled  the  law  for  me ;  He 
has  died  for  me ;  He  has  done  all  for  me ;  and  as  it  was 
with  John  Bunyan's  pilgrim  when  he  came  to  the  foot 
of  the  cross,  the  burden  of  sin  falls  off'  and  rolls  into  the 
Saviour's  grave. 

'  Never  enter  any  other  refuge,  whatever  it  may  be,  for 
all  others  are  false.  Jesus  alone  must  be  your  refuge. 
In  Him  you  will  find  the  propitiation  for  the  broken  law 
of  God,  and  all  the  righteousness  which  its  precepts  de- 
mand. I  have  no  other  hope,  in  the  prospect  of  death,  but 
in  the  Saviour's  words,  "  It  is  finished."  When  He  uttered 
them,  He  ratified  the  promises,  embodied  the  types,  ful- 
filled the  prophecies,  and  yielded  a  perfect  obedience  unto 
death,  which  glorified  God  and  brought  pardon  and  peace 
to  man. 

^  Are  we  not  in  the  habit  of  thinking  of  our  Saviour  as 
a  great  way  off?  It  is  not  so.  He  is  near,  He  is  present 
— a  refuge  in  temptation,  under  trial,  and  in  the  hour  of 
death. 

*  But  it  was  not  only  said  of  Mr.  Cadogan  that  Christ 
was  his  refuge  as  a  sinner,  but  also  that  "  Christ  was  his 
joy,  as  a  believer." 

'  And  now  I  can  blame  my  own  ministry,  doubting 
whether  I  have  dwelt  enough  on  this  truth,  that  Christ 
brings  present  happiness.  Cliristianity  is  for  the  present 
happiness  of  believers,  as  well  as  for  their  future  joy  in 
eternity. 

'  St.  Paul  writes  to  the  Eomans :  "  Being  justified  by 
faith,  we  have  peace  with  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus 


WITHIX  SIGHT  OF  THE  CITY. 


545 


Clirist;"  and  prays  for  them  that  they  may  "be  filled 
with  all  joy  and  peace  in  belie\dng,  and  ahound  in  hope 
by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  And  he  thus  exhorts 
the  Philippian  Christians:  ''Rejoice  in  the  Lord  cdicay  : 
and  again  I  say,  Eejoice." 

'  I  do  not  say  that  the  assurance  of  hope  is  essential  to 
salvation ;  but  it  is  a  very  blessed  privilege,  and  one  that 
should  be  diligently  sought  after. 

'  There  are  two  remarkable  passages  on  this  subject  in 
the  inspired  writings  of  St.  John ;  one  in  his  Gospel,  the 
other  in  his  first  Epistle. 

*'  In  the  31st  verse  of  the  20th  chapter,  he  assigns  the 
reason  for  writing  his  Gospel : — 

'  "  These  are  written,  that  ye  might  believe  that  J esus 
is  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God ;  and  that  belie^-ing  ye 
might  have  life  through  His  name." 

'And  in  the  13th  verse  of  the  5th  chapter  of  his  first 
Epistle,  St.  John  addresses  those  who  have  believed,  and 
tells  them  it  is  on  their  account  that  he  has  written  the 
Epistle,  as  supplemental  to  the  Gospel. 

' "  These  things  have  I  written  unto  you  that  believe  on 
the  name  of  the  Son  of  God ;  that  ye  may  knoic  that  ye 
have  eternal  life."  Know  it  for  your  support  amidst  trials 
and  persecutions,  in  the  time  of  sorrow  and  in  the  hour  of 
death ;  and  that  you  may  persevere  in  that  blessed  faith, 
knowing  that  "believing  on  the  name"  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  you  have  eternal  life."  ^ 

^  During  the  last  few  years  of  his  life  he  always  kept  beside  him  a 
supply  of  the  Bible  Society's  small  edition  of  St.  John's  Gospel,  and  to 
each  of  his  visitors  he  gave  a  copy,  with  this  note  written  on  the  mar- 
gin, by  the  31st  verse  of  chap.  xx.  :  '  See  1  John  v.  13.' 

2  M 


546 


MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


*  Dear  friends,  tlie  three  cardinal  graces  of  Christianity 
— Faith,  Hope,  and  Love  —have  a  direct  tendency  to  pro- 
mote our  happiness. 

*  As  sinners,  faith  leads  us  to  the  Saviour,  and  will 
divest  us  of  all  slavish  fear. 

'Whilst  passing  through  a  world  of  sorrow  and  trial, 
lw2oe  points  us  to  Heaven  as  the  world  of  uninterrupted 
joy  and  eternal  rest. 

'  And  sure  I  am  (for  in  selfishness  there  can  be  no  true 
happiness),  that  in  the  exercise  of  love  to  God  and  man 
there  is  real  and  lasting  pleasure. 

'  Thus  it  can  be  clearly  proved  that  faith  in  an  atoning, 
pardoning  Saviour,  working  by  love,  which  is  Scriptural 
Christianity,  brings  present  happiness,  as  well  as  insures 
future  bliss.  Let  me  exhort  you,  therefore,  diligently  to 
"search  the  Scriptures,"  and  earnestly  to  pray  for  the 
Holy  Spirit,  that,  through  His  grace  and  power,  you  may 
live  and  die  in  the  exercise  of  Faith,  and  Hope,  and  Love. 

'  Thus  our  Church  would  lead  us  to  pray,  in  the  words 
of  one  of  her  beautiful  collects — 

'  "  Almighty  and  everlasting  God,  give  unto  us  the 
increase  of  faith,  hope,  and  charity ;  and  tliat  we  may 
obtain  that  which  Thou  dost  promise,  make  us  to  love 
that  which  Thou  dost  command;  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.    Amen." ' 

A  few  of  the  guests  were  obliged  to  leave  early ;  and 
amongst  them  Lord  Shaftesbury :  not  wishing  to  be  called 
upon  to  make  a  speecli,  he  was  keeping  out  of  sight. 
'  But  I  cannot  let  him  go  without  his  saying  a  few  words 


'  AYITHIX  SIGHT  OF  THE  CITY.' 


547 


to  my  people ;  and  he  is  sucli  an  old  friend,  I  must  hear 
his  voice  again/  urged  my  father;  and  when,  unable  to 
resist  the  plea,  Lord  Shaftesbury  came  forward,  and  heard 
the  entreaty,  '  Do  speak  to  them ;  tell  them  to  read  and 
love  their  Bibles he  hesitated  no  longer,  and  gave  them 
a  brief  and  impressive  address  on  the  priceless  value  of 
the  Scriptures. 

After  some  hymns  had  been  sung,  ^Ir.  Auriol  and  Mr. 
Goodhart,  followed  by  Colonel  Travers  and  Mr.  Black- 
wood, spoke  words  of  counsel  and  comfort  to  those 
assembled ;  and  the  meeting  was  concluded  with  prayer 
by  Mr.  O'Eorke  and  Mr.  Gordon. 

No  shadow^  fell  on  our  hearts  amidst  the  gathering- 
shades  of  that  lovely  summer  s  evening,  foretelling  that 
that  day  five  weeks  the  'hoary  head,'  which  was  our 
'  crown  of  glory,'  would  be  laid  upon  the  bed  of  death ; 
and  that  his  next  birthday  would  be  when  '  an  entrance 
was  ministered  unto  him  abundantly  into  the  everlasting 
kingjdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.' 


The  following  letter,  though  not  received  until  some 
time  later,  may  be  inserted  here  : — 

FROM  H.  PIIILLEICK,  ESQ. 

'  To  me  his  memory  is  halloAved  with  such  an  elevation 
of  Christian  excellence  as  to  be  unrivalled.  I  never  knew 
any  one  so  altogether  rooted  in  Christ — so  altogether  grow- 
ing up  and  flourishing  in  Christ — as  he  was  from  first  to 


548 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


last.  I  thank  God  for  his  holy  teachings  in  my  boyhood, 
and  for  his  lovely  life,  which  (as  it  seems  to  me)  would 
need  but  little  transformation  to  become  that  of  the  risen 
saint,  with  the  exchange  only  of  his  earthly  crown  of 
joy,  for  the  crown  of  glory  that  fadeth  not  away.' 

An  anecdote  in  the  following  letter,  illustrative  of 
his  benevolence  to  animals,  recalled  to  us  his  kind- 
ness to  a  white  cat,  the  gift  of  one  of  his  friends  at 
Beddington.  The  little  creature  had  attached  itself  so 
faithfully  to  him  that  it  would  watch  from  sunrise  at  the 
door  of  his  room,  ready  to  seize  the  first  opportunity  of 
springing  in  there  to  establish  itself  as  his  companion 
for  the  day.  When  he  was  dangerously  ill,  and  scarcely 
able  to  bear  any  weight,  it  still  maintained  its  accus- 
tomed place  on  his  coverlet,  because  he  refused  to  allow 
its  comfort  to  be  interrupted  for  his  own  : — 

'  Brethertox  Parsoxage,  lOth  Oct.  1864. 
'  Accept  my  grateful  thanks,  for  the  remembrance  of 
your  dear  father,  whose  loveliness  by  nature  and  grace  is 
afresh  brought  before  me.  I  have  known  not  a  few  of 
God's  best  servants  in  our  day,  but — during  forty  years, 
since  I  first  saw  him — I  have  never  yet  come  across  any 
man  to  be  measured  with  your  now  sainted  and  happy 
father  for  winning  sweetness,  heavenly-mindedness,  and 
entire  annihilation  of  self  .  .  .  One  day,  when  I  called 
upon  him,  I  found  him  in  his  study,  but  not  in  his 
accustomed  place ;  for  his  favourite  cat  was  asleep  in  his 
own  easy- chair.  He  said  to  me,  with  that  gentleness  so 
peculiar  to  him,  "  Mr.  Wilde,  please  not  to  disturb  him." 


'  WITHIN  SIGHT  OF  THE  CITY.' 


549 


It  was  so  like  him, — a  tender  word  for  dumb  animals 
even,  as  well  as  for  all  his  fellow- creatures,  old  and 
young,  who  happened  to  fall  in  his  way. 

'  I  had  learned  to  esteem  and  admire  his  pure  and 
exalted  character  long  before  I  personally  knew  him. 
Mutual  friends  (amongst  them  the  late  Miss  Hancock  of 
Xorwich,  useful  in  her  day  and  generation)  prepared  me 
for  those  rare  excellences  and  attractions  I  met  with  in 
dear  Mr.  Marsh,  while  I  was  his  curate  in  Birmingham. 
If  all  Christian  ministers  were  of  like  mind  and  mould 
with  that  charming  man,  lioio  the  Gospel  would  win  its 
way  in  the  world,  and  its  power,  its  wisdom,  and  its 
grace,  so  developed,  would  draw  others  to  the  Saviour. — 
Believe  me,  very  faithfully  yours,  Ealph  Wilde.' 


It  was  during  a  wakeful  night  that  the  following  little 
paraphrase  of  the  Lord's  Prayer  was  composed  by  him, 
and  written  down  from  his  dictation  the  next  morning  :— 

'  Our  Fatlier, — 

By  right  of  creation. 
By  gracious  adoption. 

'  Which  art  in  heaven, — 

The  home  of  Thy  angels, 
The  seat  of  Thy  glory. 

'  Hallovjecl  he  Thy  Name, — 

By  the  thoughts  of  our  hearts  ; 
By  the  words  of  our  lips  ; 
By  the  actions  of  our  lives. 


550 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


*  Thy  kingdom  come, — 

Of  Providence,  to  protect  us  ; 
Of  Grace,  to  refine  us  ; 
Of  Glory,  to  crown  us. 

'  Thy  will  he  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven, — 
Submissively,  cheerfully. 
And,  finally,  perfectly. 

'  Give  lis  this  day  onr  daily  bread, — 

Of  temporal  things  for  our  bodies. 
Of  spiritual  things  for  our  souls. 

'  And  forgive  us  our  trespasses, — 

Against  the  precepts  of  Thy  law, 
And  the  grace  of  Thy  Gospel. 

'  As  we  forgive  them  v'ho  trespass  against  us, 
In  imitation  of  Thy  love, 
And  to  the  glory  of  true  religion. 

'  And  lead  its  not  into  temptation, — 

Of  such  honours,  riches,  or  pleasures 
As  might  war  against  the  soul. 

'  But  deliver  us  from  evil, — 
Of  Satan  to  deceive  us  ; 
Of  sin  to  defile  us, 

'  For  Thine  is  the  kingdom, — 
Of  Providence  and  Grace. 

'  The  fower, — 

To  establish  it. 

'  And  the  glory, — 
Of  all  good. 


'  WITHIX  SIGHT  OF  THE  CITY.' 


551 


For  ever,  ami  for  ever :  Amen, — 
So  let  it  be ; 
So  it  is ; 
So  it  shall  be.' 

'  By  this  Prayer  of  our  Lord — 
The  Father  bless, 
The  Son  adore. 
The  Spirit  praise. 
For  eYermore. 

Amen,  and  Amen.' 

Towards  the  end  of  July,  his  eldest  daughter,  with  her 
husband  and  children,  was  going  abroad  for  a  time,  and 
she  was  able  to  leave  with  comparatively  little  anxiety, 
as  he  appeared  remarkably  Y'ell.  On  her  birthday,  which 
she  usually  spent  with  him,  as  it  occiuTed  within  four 
days  of  his  own,  he  gave  her  a  traYelling  desk,  and  said, 
as  he  placed  it  in  her  hand,  '  I  was  going  to  make  you  a 
speech,  but  Moses  shall  speak  for  me ;'  and  then  quoted 
lumbers  yL  2-i-26.  It  was  his  farewell  blessing,  for 
they  were  never  to  meet  again  in  this  life. 

The  days  of  that  summer  glided  by,  each  one  brighter 
and  happier  than  that  which  had  gone  before.  On 
Sunday  the  14th  of  August,  he  seemed  if  possible  to  be 
even  in  fuller  enjoyment  than  ever  of  the  day  so  dear 
to  his  heart.  His  awaking  was  always  bright  and  in- 
stantaneous, and  generally  announced  by  some  morning 
song  of  praise.    This  time  it  Y'as — 


552 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


'  To-day  He  rose  and  left  the  dead, 
And  Satan's  empire  fell ; 
To-day  the  saints  His  triumphs  spread, 
And  all  His  wonders  tell.' 

It  was  the  Sunday  when  the  early  communion  was  ad- 
ministered in  the  church  ;  and,  before  we  left  the  house  to 
join  in  it,  he  gave  us  his  blessing.  On  our  return,  he  said, 
'  I  was  with  you  in  spirit.  I  read  the  service  here  ;  it  is 
a  beautiful  expression  of  depths  of  humiliation  and  heights 
of  adoration.  Our  worship  can  take  no  higher  flight  than 
this  ascription— rising  above  all  thanksgiving  connected 
with  ourselves — "We  give  Thee  thanks  for  Thy  great 
GLORY."  You  find  the  same  note  struck  by  the  Psalmist, 
Give  thanks  at  the  remembrance  of  His  Holiness  !" ' 

He  read,  as  had  always  been  his  custom  whenever  pre- 
vented from  joining  in  public  worship,  the  morning  ser 
vice  inclusive  of  the  psalms  and  lessons,  with  the  utmost 
devotion  of  countenance  and  manner.  Afterwards,  he 
returned  to  the  reading  of  the  Bible,  with  which  he  had 
begun  the  day.  Since  he  had  been  deprived  of  '  going  to 
the  house  of  God  in  company,'  he  had  made  Sunday  a  day 
for  feasting  on  the  Holy  Scriptures,  spending  at  least  four 
hours  in  reading  them ;  intent  as  a  schoolboy  on  a  new 
story,  scarcely  able  to  lay  down  the  book.  Yet,  if  any  one 
came  in,  desirous  of  conversing  with  him  on  sacred  subjects, 
he  would  put  it  away  for  the  time,  not  only  with  his 
wonted  gentle  courtesy,  but  with  thankful  readiness  to 
take  up  any  work  which  the  Lord  had  appointed  for  him. 

On  that  Sunday  evening,  he  was  in  gay  spirits ;  and 


\VITHIX  SIGHT  OF  THE  CITY. 


553 


when  the  family  party  had  assembled  round  the  tea-table, 
he  said  to  a  beloved  youno-  oraud-dauohter  who  had  been 
spending  the  summer  with  him,  '  Xow,  dear  little  Agnes, 
you  shall  hear  a  celebrated  vocalist !'  And  then  he  sang 
a  Hebrew  chant  : 

'  Ail  bene,  Ail  bene, 
Bene,  bene,  beth  cara.' 

■  Lord  build,  Lord  build  Thy  house  speedily  1  even  in  our 
day.'  Then  he  resumed  his  reading ;  but  shortly  after- 
wards, with  clasped  hands  and  upraised  eyes,  he  sang 
again,  with  wonderful  power  of  voice,  part  of  the  Halle- 
lujah chorus,  commencing  with  the  words,  '  King  of 
Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords,'  and  '  He  shall  reign  for  ever.' 
Then  passing,  with  the  rapid  transition  of  thought,  from 
the  coronation  of  the  King  of  kings  to  the  fulfilment  of 
His  promise,  that  His  redeemed  shall  sit  down  with  Hiin 
on  His  Throne,  he  sang  the  hymn  beginning — 

'  There  is  a  land  of  pure  delight, 
Where  saints  immortal  reign.' 

Monday  morning  was  spent  as  usual  in  reading  and 
witing,  but  in  the  afternoon  he  suffered  from  faintness 
and  oppression  of  breath  ;  still  the  night  brought  refresh- 
ing sleep,  and  on  Tuesday  the  16th  he  was  able  to  go  out 
in  his  wheel- chair,  to  take  what  he  called  his  '  grand 
tour '  round  the  garden  and  field ;  and  in  the  evening  he 
remained  in  the  drawing-room  later  than  usual  Well  do 
those  who  were  around  him  remember  how  beautiful  a 
picture  he  looked,  as  he  sat  in  his  own  arm-chair,  dressed 


554 


MEMOIR  OF  EEY.  WILLIAM  MAESH,  D.D. 


ill  his  sky-blue  wrapper,  reading  a  large  New  Testament 
beneath  the  shaded  lamp  which  cast  a  glow  of  light  upon 
the  noble  head,  with  its  crown  of  silver  hair,  resting 
against  a  crimson  cushion  ;  while,  for  a  background,  on 
the  white  wall,  hung  coloured  sketches  of  Jerusalem,  and 
of  scenery  in  the  Holy  Land  ;  and  beside  him,  through 
the  bay  window,  surrounded  by  roses  and  jessamine,  the 
rising  moon  could  just  be  seen  above  the  trees.  Presently 
he  put  down  his  book,  and  began  to  sing- — 

'  Israel,  thy  Creator  bless, 
And  with  joyful  tongue  express, 
That  His  mercies  far  extend, 
And  His  bounty  knows  no  end.' 

Then,  as  if  his  heart  was  too  full  of  praise  to  restrain 
itself,  again  his  voice  rose  with 

'  Salvation,  oh  !  the  joyful  sound, 

'Tis  pleasiu-e  to  our  ears, 
A  sovereign  balm  for  every  wound, 
A  cordial  for  our  fears.' 

And  he  sang  the  whole  hymn,  ending  witli  the  chorus — 

'  Glory,  honour,  praise,  and  power, 
Be  unto  the  Lamb  for  ever, 
Jesus  Christ  is  our  Redeemer, 
Hallelujah,  Amen.' 

And  yet  once  more  he  sang  aloud  his  favourite  Hebrew 
melody,  '  Lord,  build  Thy  house  speedily.' 

There  was  no  undertone,  in  the  glad  music  of  that 
summer  night,  foreboding  that  it  was  the  last  of  long 


WITHIN  SIGHT  OF  THE  CITY. 


000 


years  of  happy  family  evenings,  and  that  none  other  like 
it  remained  for  ns  on  earth.  Little  we  thought,  as  the 
beloved  voice  sank  into  silence,  that  his  next  song  of 
praise  would  be  sung  with  '  angels  and  archangels,  and  all 
the  company  of  heaven.' 

'  The  twilight  of  a  Sabbath  eve 
Was  deep'ning  in  the  west, 
As  one  by  one  a  household  met 
To  share  its  sacred  rest. 

Around  the  window  where  they  sat, 

Beneath  the  moon's  fair  light, 
Hung  the  bright  stars  of  jessamine, 

And  trailing  blossoms  white. 

But  evermore  each  eye  was  turn'd 

W-Tiere  one,  in  honoiu''d  age, 
Mused  in  his  tranquil  solitude 

Upon  an  open  page. 

For  he  who  long  his  Master  served, 

In  combat  undismay'd, 
Borne  from  the  heat  of  battle  now 

Upon  his  shield  was  laid  ! 

And  in  this  patient  waiting  kept, 

So  long  he  tarries  still  ! 
"  Till  his  Lord  come,"  we  almost  said, 
"  What  if  it  be  His  wiU  !  " 

A  light  upon  his  brow  serene, 

Its  fullest  radiance  beam'd, 
And  on  the  crown  of  silver  hair, 

Which  like  a  glory  seem'd. 

But  brighter  far  than  all,  the  glance 

Of  calm,  yet  deep  content, 
And  the  sweet  smile  whose  sparkling  play 

Like  sunshine  came  and  went  : 


55 G  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

'While  now  he  sang  of  Canaan's  land, 

And  of  its  fields  of  light, 
And  of  the  perfect  day  which  fears 
Xo  darkening  shades  of  night. 

And  yet  in  louder,  fuller  strains 
He  raised  his  joyful  song  ; — 

Then  waved  his  hands  with  parting  grace. 
As  if  he  blessed  the  throng.'^ 

Beddington  Rectory. 
August  18(54. 


1  By  the  author  of  Grace  and  Remembrance. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


•'THROUGH  THE  FLOOD  ON  FOOT.' 


'  So  we  went  slowly  down 
To  the  river  side, 
Till  we  stood  in  the  heavy  shadows 
By  the  wild  black  tide. 

We  could  hear  that  the  Lord  was  speakiag 

Deep  words  of  grace  ; 
We  could  see  their  blessed  reflection 

Upon  our  father's  face. 

' '  Farewell  I — T  cannot  fear. 

Do  you  not  see  Hjs  grace  ?" 
And  even  as  he  spoke  he  tum'd 
Again  to  the  Master's  face. 

So  they  two  went  closer  down 

To  the  river  side. 
And  stood  in  the  heavy  shadows 

By  the  wild  black  tide. 

But  when  the  feet  of  the  Lord 
Were  come  to  the  waters  dim, 

They  rose  to  stand  on  either  hand, 
And  left  a  path  for  Him. 

So  they  two  passed  over  quickly 

Towards  the  goal. 
But  the  wistful  longing  gaze 

Of  the  parting  soul 

Grew  only  more  rapt  and  joyful 
As  he  held  the  Master's  hand  ; 

We  think,  or  ever  he  was  aware. 
They  were  come  to  the  Holy  Land.' 

B.  M. 


THEOrCrH  THE  FLOOD  OX 


FOOT.* 


Ox  Wednesday,  my  father  awoke  weak  and  weary ;  and 
as  the  day  wore  on,  he  became  more  ill,  so  that  in  the 
afternoon  his  daughter  [Matilda,  whom  he  was  accustomed 
playfully  to  call  his  '  chief  doctor/  was  sent  for.  Although 
there  was  no  alarming  symptom,  he  evidently  felt  that  his 
end  was  drawing  near,  for  he  said  to  Mrs.  Marsh,  as  she 
sat  anxiously  and  tenderly  watching  by  him,  '  It  is  right 
vou  should  be  prepared,  dearest, — this  is  dying.' 

Thursday  morning  brought  no  improvement,  and  Mr. 
Skey  was  sent  for  from  London,  He  came  at  once,  and 
pronounced  the  illness  to  be  very  serious,  but  at  the  same 
time  he  gave  us  some  hope  that  the  wonderful  power  of 
rallying  iu  his  constitution  might  yet  enable  him  to  re- 
cover ;  and  we,  who  had  so  often  seen  him  given  back 
from  the  very  gates  of  death,  in  answer  to  our  prayers, 
took  comfort  from  this  hope. 

Xot withstanding  great  sufferiug  and  weakness,  his  spirit 
of  loving  consideration  for  all  aroimd  him,  and  the  bright 
playfulness  of  his  disposition,  shone  out  continually.  He 
had  a  kind  word  for  ever}*  one  who  came  into  his  room. 


560  MEMOIR  OF  KEY.  WILLIAM  MAESH,  D.D. 

To  Mr.  Skey  he  said,  '  Dear  friend,  what  a  shadow  that 
vanisheth  away  is  the  longest  human  life  !  But  there  is  a 
heaven,  and  there  is  a  Saviour.  Seek  that  Saviour,  arid 
heaven  is  yours,  and  all  is  well.' 

In  the  afternoon  he  received  a  letter  from  his  eldest 
daughter  from  Germany,  which  he  read  with  great  interest, 
and  then  said  to  us,  *  Do  not  let  darling  Mar}^  be  made 
anxious,  and  her  holiday  be  spoilt.' 

Yet  we  longed  to  telegraph  to  her,  knowing  how 
earnestly  she  would  desire  to  be  beside  him  in  his  illness ; 
but  no  address  had  been  given  where  letters  could  reach 
the  travellers  until  Saturday,  and  we  still  leant  upon  the 
hope  that  by  that  time  there  might  be  a  change  for  the 
better. 

In  the  afternoon  he  was  moaning  frequently,  as  if  in 
much  pain ;  but  whenever  any  one  spoke  to  him,  or  even 
stood  by  his  side,  he  answered  in  a  cheerful  voice,  and 
with  his  own  bright  smile.  From  his  deafness  he  did 
not  know  that  his  expressions  of  pain  were  audible,  and 
evidently  thought  that  by  speaking  cheerfully  he  could 
spare  us  the  knowledge  of  his  suffering. 

During  the  night  he  slept  very  little,  but  though  worn 
and  weary,  his  heart  was  overflowing  with  love.  When 
his  youngest  daughter  was  standing  by  him,  he  said, 
'  Stay  where  you  are  a  minute,  my  darling,  that  I  may  see 
your  face  well.  If  I  were  only  a  second  Sir  Joshua 
Keynolds,  I  would  paint  it  at  once,  tliat  I  might  wear  it 
always  next  my  heart.' 

On  Friday,  Lady  Emma  Dalzell,  who  had  been  almost 
as  a  daughter  to  liim,  came  from  Beckenham;  and  he  asked 


'  TIIEOUGH  THE  FLOOD  OX  FOOT.' 


561 


tenderly  after  her  brothers,  especially  one  who  was  an 
invalid ;  for  no  suffering  of  his  own  caused  him  to  forget 
the  anxieties  of  others.  Never  did  we  hear  him  utter  a 
complaint  or  murmur.  His  lips  were  ever  full  of  thanks- 
giving, and  praise  was  the  constant  occupation  of  his 
dying  days  as  it  had  been  of  his  long  lifetime. 

It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  change  that  came  over 
the  whole  household  as  day  by  day  his  illness  increased. 
All  longed  to  be  with  him  constantly,  but  while  there  was 
any  hope  that  the  precious  life  might  be  preserved,  it  was 
right  that  his  room  should  be  kept  as  quiet  as  possible. 
The  door  was  left  open ;  and  those  who  sat  in  the  draw- 
ing-room, listening  sadly  to  the  heavy  breathing,  felt  the 
shadow  of  the  gathering  cloud  darken  their  hearts.  Yet 
even  then  we  scarcely  thought  that  in  less  than  a  week 
the  whole  heaven  of  our  happy  home  would  be  '  black 
with  clouds,'  and  its  sun  have  set  for  ever. 

He  had  frequently  of  late  expressed  his  conviction  that 
we  were  entering  upon  troublous  times ;  and  in  one  of 
his  latest  letters  had  dictated  the  following  sentence  : — '  I 
am  a  Jeremiah  about  my  Church  and  my  country.  The 
Church  is  on  an  inclined  plane  towards  the  precipice  of 
Eomish  error,  and  there  are  some  who  seem  to  be  patting 
her  upon  the  back  who  are  in  reality  pushing  her  down- 
wards.' At  another  time,  he  said,  '  Avoid  all  that 
symbolizes  with  Rome.'  And  then,  with  an  expression 
of  deep  distress  in  his  countenance,  '  I  pray  for  those  who 
are  within  convent  walls — those  prisoners  without  crimes. 
The  whole  system  is  opposed  to  the  revealed  will  of  God.' 

To  Dr.  Carpenter  he  said,  'Train  up  your  children  in 

2  X 


562  MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

Bible  knowledge,  for  a  time  of  great  trouble  is  at  hand, 
and  no  other  knowledge  will  enable  tbem  to  stand  in  the 
day  of  trial  and  temptation.' 

In  the  course  of  the  afternoon  he  sent  to  his  grand- 
daughter, who  had  kept  out  of  his  room  a  good  deal  that 
day,  as  the  doctors  had  requested  that  only  three  should 
be  there  at  one  time,  saying,  *  Surely  I  have  not  seen  you 
since  1764!'  Adding,  '  My  darling,  how  I  have  loved 
you  ! — and  how  I  have  prayed  for  you  I ' 

On  Saturday  night  he  scarcely  slept  at  all,  but  seemed 
enjoying  a  rapt  communion  with  his  Saviour,  often  say- 
ing, half  aloud,  as  if  answering  one  who  had  spoken  to 
him,  'My  Saviour — my  dear  Saviour.  Yes,  my  Lord, 
my  blessed  Saviour.' 

The  days  and  nights  had  passed  so  strangely  with  him 
from  the  want  of  sleep  and  of  his  usual  occupations,  that 
on  Sunday  morning  he  awoke,  for  the  first  time  probably 
for  more  than  seventy  years,  without  knowing  that  it  was 
the  Lord's  Day.  It  was  not  till  the  afternoon  that  he  said 
to  a  faithful  and  devoted  nurse,  v/ho  had  come  over  from 
Beckenham,  '  Is  this  really  Sunday  ?  What  a  thoughtless 
man  I  am  !  I  never  spent  such  a  Sunday  as  this  before  ! ' 
adding,  with  a  smile,  'You  had  better  send  me  out  of 
the  world,  that  I  may  learn  how  to  keep  a  Sabbath  1 ' 
But  seeing  her  eyes  fill  with  tears,  he  said,  '  There  is  the 
eternal  Sabbath,  you  know,  which  we  shall  all  spend 
together ; '  and  continued,  as  if  speaking  to  himself, 
'  The  dear  Archbishop  wrote  to  me  from  his  dying  bed 
that  we  should  meet  soon  where  Sabbaths  never  end.'" 
In  the  morning  he  had  dictated  a  beautiful  and  animated 


'  THROUGH  THE  FLOOD  ON  FOOT.' 


563 


letter  to  ^Irs.  Joseph  Sturge,  whose  husband's  life  he  was 
reading,  concluding  with  the  words  :  '  Oh  !  blessed  brother 
and  sister,  how  happy  they  must  be  in  a  world  where  they 
can  neither  see,  nor  feel,  nor  hear  anything  contrary  to 
true  happiness.  And  not  only  so,  but  where  they  realize 
the  certainty  that  the  blessed  system  is  becoming  uni- 
versal. "For  He  must  reign  until  He  shall  have  put 
down  all  rule,  and  all  authority  and  power"  opposed  to 
truth,  righteousness,  and  peace.'' 

By  Sunday  night  his  deafness  had  increased  so  much 
that  he  could  not  even  hear  a  word.  He  continued 
patientl}'  and  gratefully  to  take  the  food  and  medicine 
offered  him  ;  and  though  it  was  evidently  with  great 
effort  that  he  swallowed  it,  he  always  had  some  playful 
and  tender  saying  for  those  who  brought  it. 

His  grandson,  Mackenzie  Chalmers,  walked  from  Beck- 
enham  in  the  afternoon,  and  received  his  fervent  blessing ; 
and  in  the  evening  one  of  his  grand- daughters,  Katherine 
Wathen,  arrived,  with  her  husband,  to  take  leave  of  him. 
He  welcomed  them  with  one  of  his  bright,  loving  smiles, 
and  blessed  them. 

He  had  a  few  hours'  sleep  on  Sunday  night,  and  we 
felt  that  it  was  given  in  answer  to  the  prayers  offered  up 
for  him,  from  far  and  near,  that  day;  for  by  this  quiet 
sleep  his  sufferings  were  lessened.  He  awoke  on  Monday 
morning  repeating  the  verse — 

'  Poor,  giiilty,  weak,  and  helpless  worm, 

Into  thine  arms  I  fall ; 
Thou  art  my  strength,  my  righteousness, 

My  Jesus,  and  my  all.' 


564 


MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MAESH,  D.D. 


When  the  doctor  arrived  he  told  us  that  he  feared  a  few 
days  only  remained  of  that  blessed  life.  Again  was  his 
absent  daughter  telegraphed  for,  and  we  began  to  count 
the  hours  till  the  time  when  we  thought  it  possible  she 
might  arrive. 

During  the  day  he  spoke  but  seldom,  as  his  voice  was 
very  hoarse.  But  now  and  then  he  repeated  a  text  or  a 
verse  of  a  hymn ;  and  once  remarked,  '  I  like  that  pretty 
saying  — 

"  Give  me  a  place  at  Thy  saints'  feet, 
Or  some  faU'n  angel's  vacant  seat."' 

To  his  second  daughter,  who  was  standing  by  him,  he 
said,  '  My  Matilda — my  sister'  (and  then  smiling  at  his 
child,  he  added,  *  and  you  are  my  Matilda  too)  said,  when 
she  was  dying,  and  her  throat  was  closing, 

"  My  days  of  praise  sliall  ne'er  be  past, 
While  life,  and  thought,  and  being  last, 
Or  immortality  endures." 

'  My  throat  is  closing  now,  and  I  say  also, 

"  My  days  of  praise  shall  ne'er  be  past."  ' 

Several  times  in  that  day  we  believe  that  he  was  allowed 
to  see  one  or  more  of  the  redeemed  spirits,  who  would, 
we  felt,  be  crowding  down  to  the  brink  of  the  river  to 
watch  for  and  to  welcome  him;  for  he  spoke  more  than 
once  to  our  mother — the  beloved  of  his  early  days — say- 
ing, '  Maria,  darling ;'  and  two  or  three  times  smiled,  and 
waved  his  hand  towards  the  foot  of  the  bed,  when  none 
whom  OUT  eyes  could  see  were  standing  there. 

As  he  tenderly  bade  his  son  good-night,  he  gave  him 


'  THROUGH  THE  FLOOD  ON  FOOT.' 


565 


tlie  texts,  '  I  will  bless  thee,  and  thou  shalt  be  a  blessing,' 
and  '  Ye  are  my  witnesses,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts.' 

Dr.  Carpenter  came  about  ten  o'clock,  and  after  he  had 
seen  him,  told  us  that  this  night  would  be  a  crisis  in  his 
illness,  and  a  most  anxious  one.  As  he  was  unable  to 
remain,  we  asked  him  to  send  Dr.  Lanchester,  one  of  his 
partners,  who  came  at  once,  and  whose  attentions  were 
a  great  comfort  to  the  beloved  one. 

At  twenty  minutes  to  twelve  he  suddenly  spoke,  but  in 
a  voice  so  strange,  so  distant,  that  had  we  not  known  the 
words  he  was  saying  we  could  scarcely  have  understood 
them,  and  repeated  the  following  hymn  : — 

'  When  all  thy  mercies,  0  my  God  ! 
My  rising  soul  surveys, 
Transported  with  the  view,  I 'm  lost 
In  wonder,  love,  and  praise. 

Ten  thousand,  thousand  precious  gifts 

My  dailj'-  thanks  employ  ; 
Nor  is  the  least  a  thankful  heart. 

That  tastes  these  gifts  with  joy. 

Through  every  period  of  my  life 

Thy  goodness  I  '11  proclaim  ; 
And  after  death,  in  distant  worlds, 

Eesume  the  glorious  theme. 

Through  all  eternity  to  Thee 

A  joyful  song  I  '11  raise ; 
But,  oh  !  eternity 's  too  short 

To  utter  all  thy  praise.' 

Closing  with  the  sentence,  *  When  I  consider  the  works 
of  God,  in  providence  and  in  grace,  they  seem  marvellous.' 

His  grand-daughter  was  w^aiting  to  write  down  any  words 
that  might  fall  from  his  lips,  to  be  our  treasures  w^hen  we 


566  MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

should  hear  that  voice  no  more — but  no  words  came — the 
silence  of  death  had  begun  already ;  he  was  gradually 
being  withdrawn  from  all  intercourse  with  earth,  for  he 
could  no  longer  hear  our  voices,  or  speak  to  us. 

About  six  o'clock  on  Tuesday  morning  he  signed  for 
a  slate,  and  when  Mr.  O'Eorke  handed  it  to  him,  he  wrote 
the  following  words  with  trembling  hand : — '  Tell  the 
clergy  to  preach  Christ,  to  live  Christ,  to  serve  Christ, 
and  they  shall  joy  and  praise  in  eternity.'  He  could  not 
speak,  but  we  could  tell  by  the  movement  of  his  lips  that 
he  several  times  repeated  the  words  '  My  Saviour.'  He 
also  wrote  two  or  three  short  sentences  on  the  slate :  '  Do 
not  sorrow,  you  are  kept,  etc./  for  he  had  not  strength  to 
finish  the  text.  From  having  had  little  or  no  sleep,  he 
thought  it  was  the  middle  of  the  day,  while  it  was  still 
early  morning,  and,  with  his  usual  thoughtfulness  for 
others,  wrote  on  the  slate,  '  Dr.  Lanchester,  luncheon.' 

The  evening  drew  on,  and  with  every  sound  of  wheels 
our  hopes  pictured  his  daughter's  arrival,  while  we  con- 
tinued to  pray  (but  it  was  all  that  we  dared  to  ask  now) 
that  the  Lord  would  leave  him  just  long  enough  to  see  her, 
for  we  felt  that  for  ourselves  we  could  let  him  go  that 
hour,  rather  than  see  him  suffer,  or  detain  him  for  our 
selfish  pleasure  from  the  sight  of  Him  for  whom  his  soul 
thirsted. 

'  A  pilgrim  for  his  new  abode 

Is  making  preparation, 
Who  long  hath  closely  walk'd  with  God 

In  joy  and  tribulation. 
Now  faint  and  weary  with  his  load, 
He  pants  to  reach  the  blest  abode 

For  which  he  long  hath  striven  : 


'  THKOUGH  THE  FLOOD  OX  FOOT.' 


567 


His  soul  is  thirsting,  God,  for  Thee  ; 
O  grant  him,  grant  him  soon  to  see 
Thy  glorious  face  in  heaven. 

Lord  Jesus,  through  death's  gloomy  night 

This  pilgrim  soon  must  wander  ;  j 
Light  of  the  world,  be  Thou  his  light,  j 

Uphold,  and  guide  him  yonder. 
In  life  he  walk'd  with  Thee  ;  in  death 
Do  Thou  receive  his  parting  breath, 

Sweet  rest  of  weary  mortals ;  j 
Thou  wast  his  help  in  life  ;  be  Thou 
His  help  and  comforter  e'en  now, 

Through  heaven's  eternal  portals.' 

At  miduiglit  the  final  change  commenced  ;  and  for  only 
one  more  night  the  privilege  was  ours  of  watching  beside 
and  ministering  to  him  who  was  onr  joy,  our  crown,  our 
glory.  His  daughter  printed  in  large  letters  to  catch  his 
failing  sight,  the  words,  '  A  pillow  for  my  heart's  beloved.' 
*  God  is  love.'  (He  says),  '  I  have  loved  thee  with  an 
everlasting  love.' 

It  had  been  for  some  time  his  custom,  the  last  thing 
every  night,  to  ask  for  a  text  from  one  of  his  daughters  for 
special  meditation,  and  tliis  he  used  to  call  his  '  pillow.' 
Those  were  the  last  words  on  which  his  eyes  rested,  and 
as  they  rested  there,  a  heavenly  light  shone  in  them. 

We  watched  in  silence  through  the  night  in  the  dimly 
lighted  room,  listening  to  the  laboured  breathing,  and 
scarcely  daring  to  think  of  what  lay  before  us  on  the 
coming  day. 

Early  in  the  morning  he  made  a  sign  for  his  spectacles 
and  put  them  on,  himself,  with  a  little  help  from  Mrs. 
Marsh,  and  then  looked  round  on  us  all  with  inexpressible 


568  MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 

tenderness ;  he  tried  to  write  again,  but  his  hand  could 
scarcely  guide  the  pencil.  Suddenly  the  voice  which  we 
thought  we  should  hear  no  more  till  the  Eesurrection 
morning,  broke  the  silence,  and  in  a  tone  of  wonderful 
love  he  said  the  one  word,  '  Mary  !'  whilst  his  eyes,  which 
were  already  growing  dim  in  death,  were  for  a  moment 
bright  with  life  and  power. 

One  by  one  we  all  drew  near  and  knelt  to  kiss  his  hand, 
and  to  receive  its  gentle  pressure,  as  he  raised  his  eyes  in 
prayer,  and  thus  we  took  our  silent  farewell.  His  wife, 
son,  son-in-law,  daughters,  grand-daughters,  his  curates, 
and  several  dear  friends,  besides  the  devotedly  attached 
servants  of  the  household,  and  from  Beckenham  Rectory, 
each  in  turn,  received  that  unspoken  blessing.  Then  most 
of  them  withdrew  to  the  end  of  the  room,  leaving  his 
family  aroimd  his  bed.  He  looked  tenderly  towards  Mrs. 
Marsh,  and  pointed  upwards,  when  he  saw  her  tears. 

He  signed  for  the  window  to  be  thrown  wide  open, 
and  the  sunshine  came  streaming  in  on  his  heavenly  face. 
After  the  heavy  rain  in  the  night,  everything  was  looking 
refreshed  and  lovely,  and  the  clematis,  then  in  blossom, 
which  hung  around  the  library  window,  was  glittering  in 
the  sun,  as  it  formed  the  frame  through  which  he  took 
his  last  look  into  the  garden. 

He  lay  tranquilly,  surrounded  by  those  who  loved  him 
best.  Presently  Dr.  Lanchester  felt  his  pulse  for  the  last 
time,  and  afterwards  he  himself  signed  to  his  daughter 
Matilda  to  come  near,  and  placed  the  thin  wrist  in  her 
hand,  with  a  smile  of  tenderest  confidence,  knowing  that 
she  would  like  to  be  the  last  to  feel  its  faint  and  now 


'  THROUGH  THE  FLOOD  OX  FOOT.' 


569 


fast-failing  beating.  Tlien,  with  serene  dignity,  and  almost 
a  leisurely  calm,  he  raised  liis  hand,  and  closed  his  own 
eyes, — to  spare  us  one  pang,  and  to  draw  the  curtain  that 
would  ]nde  earth  from  his  sight  and  leave  him  alone  with 
his  Saviour. 

Xo  sound  of  sorrow  broke  the  stillness  of  that  holy 
place.  AVe  had  gone  with  him  to  the  bank  of  the  river, 
and  there  waited  in  silence  for  the  arrival  of  the  Shining 
Ones  who  were  to  carry  him  to  the  Celestial  City. 

The  heart  that  had  so  overflowed  with  love  still  beat 
with  tremulous  motion ;  and  the  hand  which  clasped  a 
hand  of  the  daughter  whose  life's  blessedness  it  had  been 
never  to  be  parted  from  him,  closed  firmly,  as  if  he  would 
have  drawn  her  into  the  promised  land  at  the  same  moment 
with  himself,  by  the  power  of  that  '  love  which  is  strong 
as  death.' 

Then  as  the  church  bells  began  to  chime  for  the  service, 
with  a  few  gentle  breathings  his  spirit  passed  away. 

By  the  look  of  radiant  joy,  adoration,  holy  awe,  and 
almost  surprise,  upon  his  face  at  the  last,  we  felt  that  it 
was  no  angel  Q-uard  alone  that  liad  come  for  him,  but 
that  his  eyes  had  seen  '  the  King  in  His  beauty ;'  that  he 
had  not  only  been  made  '  most  blessed  for  ever,'  but  also 
'  exceeding  glad  with  his  Saviour's  countenance.' 


'  Soft  through  the  open  casement 
Stole  in  the  summer  air, 
And  faintly  came  the  chiming 
Of  bells  that  called  to  prayer  : 


570 


MEMOIR  OF  EEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


"While  on  his  couch  reclining, 
That  loved  one  rested  now ; 

The  gracious  lips  were  silent. 
And  chill  the  stately  brow. 

But  on  the  face  there  deepen'd 
A  look  of  tender  awe  ; 

As  when  the  loved  disciple 
His  risen  Master  saw.^ 

As  when  the  untold  glory — 

The  unapproached  light, — 
Veil'd  from  our  mortal  vision. 
Burst  on  the  martyr's  sight. 

And  in  that  hush  of  wonder, 
And  love,  and  awe,  and  praise, 

Gently  his  spirit  enter'd 
Upon  eternal  days. 

Still  was  that  vision's  rapture 
Upon  the  face  exprest, — 

Only  the  silence  told  us 
He  was  indeed  at  rest. 

They  say  that  Death  has  enter'd, 
And  here  his  vigil  keeps  ! 

But  still  we  know  the  Master 
Has  said  his  servant  "sleeps." 

He  comes  Himself  to  wake  him  ; — 
Perchance  the  morn  is  near — 

So,  though  our  home  be  darken'd, 
Say  not  that  Death  is  here.'^ 

Beddington  Rectory, 
August  1864. 


1  John  xxi.  7, 

2  By  the  author  of  Grace  and  Reinembrance. 


CHAPTEE  XIX. 


'THE  QUIET  RESTIXG-PLACE.' 

'  And  needest  thou  our  prayers  no  more,  safe  folded  'mid  the  bless'd 
How  changed  art  thou  since  last  vre  met  to  keep  the  day  of  rest ! 
Young  with  the  youth  of  augels,  wise  with  the  growth  of  years ; 
For  we  have  pass'd,  since  thou  hast  gone,  a  week  of  many  tears.' 

How  wise,  and  great,  and  glorious,  thy  gentle  soul  has  grown. 
Loving  as  thou  art  loved  by  God,  knowing  as  thou  art  known  I 
Yet  in  that  world  thou  carest  still  for  those  thou  lov'dst  in  this  ; 
The  rich  man  did  in  torments,  and  wilt  not  thou  in  bliss  ? 

For  sitting  at  the  Saviour's  feet,  and  gazing  in  His  face, 
Surely  thou  'It  not  unlearn  one  gentle  human  grace. 
Human,  and  not  angelic,  the  form  He  deigns  to  wear ; 
Of  Jesus,  not  of  angels,  the  likeness  thou  shalt  bear.' 

By  the  Author  of  The  Three  Wakings.' 


THE  QUIET  EESTIXG-PLACE. 


In  accordance  with  his  own  wish,  he  was  buried  in  the  church- 
vard  at  Beddington  :  where  his  grave  was  made,  beside  the  porch, 
by  the  little  path  leading  to  the  vestry. 

The  2d  of  September  was  the  bui'ial  day;  and  from  far  and 
near  friends  gathered  to  follow  him,  mom*ners  in  heart  for  the 
father  in  Christ  who  was  that  day  to  come  to  his  grave  •  in  a 
full  age,  like  as  a  shock  of  corn  cometh  in  in  his  season.'  The 
precious  body  was  laid  in  a  plain  coffin  of  polished  oak,  its  only 
ornament  a  silver  star,  bearing  the  following  inscription  :  — 

•  Eev.  WiLLL\M  Marsh,  D.D.,  Rector  of  Beddingtou. 
'  Born  July  20th,  1775 ;  died  August  24th,  1864. 

•  "  All  the  days  of  my  appointed  time  will  I  wait  till  my  change 
come  :  Thou  shalt  call,  and  I  will  answer ;  Thou  wilt  have  a 
desire  to  the  work  of  Thy  hands:"  "For  the  Lord  Himself 
shall  descend  from  heaven  with  a  shout,  with  the  voice  of  the 
Archangel,  with  the  trimip  of  God:  and  the  dead  in  Christ  shall 
rise  first." 

'  "Wherefore  comfort  one  another  with  these  words."'* 

The  coffin  was  placed  in  the  library  until  the  hour  came  for 
its  removal  to  the  grave.  In  the  interval  of  waiting,  the  execu- 
tors opened  a  small  packet  of  papers  addi*essed  to  themselves,  and 
thus  found  the  following  parting  blessing,  which  came  like  a  voice 
from  heaven  to  comfort  his  heart-stricken  children  and  grand- 
children : — 

'  Darldsg  Katie  and  all  my  Children, — Let  not  my  depar- 
ture over-grieve  you.  You  will  consider  how  long  my  life  has  been 
spared.  But,  above  all,  look  forward  to  the  happy  meeting  which 
the  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  will  grant ;  and  I  know  you 
will  like  to  serve  Him  by  the  way. 


574 


MEMOIR  OF  KEV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


'  T  tliank  you  all  for  your  most  dutiful  and  affectionate,  yea, 
most  loving  conduct.  Never  was  a  man  so  blessed  with  such 
children. 

'  I  have  often  thanked  Grod  for  my  children,  and  those  to 
whom  four  of  them  have  been  married  ;  and  since,  those  to  whom 
my  grandchildren  have  been  married.  They  have  all  been  most 
dutiful  and  affectionate.  May  the  Lord  "  who  has  fed  me  all 
my  lifelong" — the  angel  (or  messenger  of  the  covenant  of  grace, 
our  blessed  Redeemer)  who  has  redeemed  me  from  all  evil," 
bless  them  all,  and  my  great-grandchildren.  May  they  live  in 
faith,  and  hope,  and  love.  It  is  the  happiest  life  in  this  world, 
and  prepares  for  perfect  happiness  in  the  world  to  come. 

'  I  pray  God  to  bless  my  kind  executors,  and  all  my  friends, 
especially  the  dear  people  among  whom  I  have  ministered. 

'  I  have  been  spared  to  see  my  children's  children.  Oh  that 
they  might  see  "peace  upon  Israel,"  and  all  finally  meet  in  the 
land  of  light,  and  love,  and  joy,  to  the  praise  of  God  and  the 
Lamb  for  ever ! 

'  I  wish  my  executors  to  place  all  my  papers,  and  manuscripts, 
and  letters,  etc.,  in  the  hands  of  my  daughter  Catherine,  for  any 
use  she  may  wish  to  make  of  them.       (Signed)    W.  Marsh.' 

At  length  the  hour  came  ;  to  no  stranger  hands  was  the  pri- 
vilege granted  of  rendering  the  last  act  of  respect,  but  'devout 
men'  from  amongst  the  recent  converts  at  Beddington,  and  some 
from  an  earlier  work  of  the  grace  of  God  at  Beckenham,  were 
waiting  with  reverent  tenderness  to  '  carry  him  to  his  burial.' 

After  a  brief  prayer  by  Mr.  Chalmers  in  the  library,  the 
mournful  procession  was  ready  to  depart.  Many  of  the  number, 
but  a  few  weeks  before,  on  his  birthday,  had  rejoiced  with 
them  that  did  rejoice,  as  they  saw  him  come  forth  from  that 
very  room,  radiant  with  life  and  beauty ;  and  now  they  stood 
as  mourners  in  the  hall,  weeping  with  them  that  wept,  as  from 
the  same  door  was  carried  forth  the  silent  form  of  the  dead. 

Followed  by  his  wife,  his  son,  his  daughters,  and  his  grand- 
children;  by  relations  and  friends,  near  and  distant;  by  grey - 
haired  brethren  in  the  ministry,  veterans  in  Christ's  service ; 
by  laymen  whose  hands  he  had  upheld  with  his  counsel,  his 
sympathy,  and  his  prayers ;  by  young  officers  whose  faith  he  had 


'  THE  QUIET  EESTIXG- place/ 


575 


strengthened  to  withstand  the  snares  which  surrounded  them  ; 
by  his  old  churchwarden  from  Colchester,  and  sons  of  friends 
who  had  died  in  the  Lord  there ;  by  members  of  his  old  con- 
gregations in  Leamington  and  Birmingham ;  by  some  of  the 
Society  of  Friends ;  by  a  large  company  who  loved  him  from 
Beckenham  and  Bromley ;  by  many  of  the  clergy  from  the 
neighbourhood ;  by  numbers  of  his  parishioners ;  by  faithful 
and  sorrowing  servants  from  both  rectories ;  by  mourners  old 
and  young,  rich  and  poor,  the  friends  of  years  and  the  friends 
of  weeks — the  body  was  borne  to  the  grave. 

The  road  from  the  rectory  was  lined  with  people,  who  filled 
the  churchyard  when  the  procession  had  passed  into  the  church  ; 
and  by  their  solemn  stillness  showed  their  deep  sympathy. 

Mr.  O'Korke  and  Mr.  G-ordon,  who  sorrowed  as  sons  for  a 
father,  met  the  funeral  at  the  gate.  In  the  pause,  whilst  the 
long  train  quietly  took  their  places  in  the  church, — to  soft,  low 
music,  his  favourite  hymn  was  sung, — 

'  There  is  a  land  of  pure  delight. ' 

Profound  silence  reigned  in  the  church  during  the  reading  of 
the  service.  The  last  declaration  of  faith  had  been  made,  the 
threefold  blessing  pronounced;  and  whilst  the  mourners  wore 
still  standing  around  the  open  grave,  and  hundreds  lingering 
sorrowfully,  unwilling  to  leave  the  place  where  he  was  laid,  words 
of  comfort  were  spoken^  on  the  Voices  which  bear  their  testimony 
at  the  beginning  of  the  burial  service. 

The  voice  from  heaven — 

'  I  am  the  Kesurrection  and  the  Life ;  he  that  believeth  in 
Me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live ;  and  whosoever 
liveth  and  believeth  in  Me  shall  never  die.' 

The  voice  from  the  dead — 

'  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth,  and  that  He  shall  stand  at 
the  latter  day  upon  the  earth ;  and  though  after  my  skin  worms 
destroy  this  body,  yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God ;  whom  I  shall 
see  for  myself,  and  mine  eyes  shall  behold,  and  not  another.' 

The  voice  of  the  bereaved — 

'  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away  ;  blessed  be 
the  name  of  the  Lord.' 

^  By  tlie  Kev.  Edward  Hoare,  of  Tunbridge  Wells. 


576 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


All  day  tlie  rain  had  fallen  heavily  until  just  before  the  funeral 
left  the  rectory.  But  now,  as  the  preacher's  voice  ceased,  the 
setting  sun  broke  forth  from  behind  a  bank  of  gloomy  clouds, 
and  poured  such  a  flood  of  golden  light  over  all  the  scene,  that 
it  seemed  as  if  heaven's  gate  had  been  thrown  open  to  let  its 
glory  stream  a  while  upon  earth.  At  the  same  moment  a  white 
dove  was  seen  slowly  descending  towards  the  grave,  over  which 
it  poised  with  outspread  wings,  and  after  resting  there  awhile, 
soared  out  of  sight  towards  heaven  : — meet  emblem  for  him  whose 
peaceful  and  loving  spirit  had  passed  into  the  skies. 

As  many  had  come  from  a  distance,  and  wished  to  remain  until 
late  in  the  evening,  refreshment  was  provided  for  them  in  the 
school-room;  and  afterwards  a  meeting  was  held  there,  by  the 
curates,  for  prayer  for  the  parish  which  had  suffered  so  great  a 
loss,  for  the  bereaved  family,  and  especially  for  the  daughter 
whose  absence  from  her  father's  death-bed  added  such  poignancy 
to  her  share  of  the  sorrow  so  deep  for  all. 

It  was  whilst  these  prayers  were  being  made  for  her,  that  she 
entered  the  desolated  home.  No  tidings  of  his  illness  had  reached 
her  until  five  days  after  his  death.  Although  hopeless  then 
of  looking  upon  the  beloved  face  once  more,  she  had  travelled 
day  and  night  to  be  in  time  to  follow  him  to  the  grave.  On  her 
account  the  funeral  had  not  taken  place  until  after  the  arrival  of 
the  express  train  from  Folkestone ;  but  then  all  expectation  of 
her  return  that  day  was  at  an  end. 

Watch  was  kept  by  the  grave  that  night,  for  it  was  left  open 
that  she  might  see  his  quiet  resting-place. 

'  Another  cli  amber  yet, 
Its  curtain  is  of  grass,  and  closely  drawn  ; 
But  the  pale  pilgrim,  in  its  portal  set, 
Looketh  toward  the  dawn. 

Ofttimes  red  roses  He 
On  the  green  curtain  of  that  chamber  low. 
And  blossoms  like  the  deep-blue  summer  sky, 

Or  like  the  winter  snow. 

Now  lay  the  pilgrim  down — 
Set  thou  his  feet,  and  face,  and  closed  eyes, 
Where  they  may  meet  the  golden-raying  crown 

Of  Christ's  own  great  sunrise. 


'  THE  QUIET  EESTIXG- PLACE.' 


577 


So  let  him  rest. 
Unheard  all  sound  of  mourning — let  thy  weeping  cease  : 
Translate  the  grave  into  a  gentler  word — 

Call  it  the  chamber  Peace  1 

On  Sunday,  the  4th  of  September,  funeral  sermons  -  were 
preached  in  Beddington  Church  by  the  Kev.  John  Venn  (who, 
with  great  kindness,  came  from  Hereford,  at  considerable  incon- 
venience), and  the  Revs.  Henry  Elliott^  and  Charles  Goodhart. 
who  had  each  for  many  years  known,  loved,  and  honoured  the 
aged  saint,  to  whose  holy  living  and  dying  they  now  bore  their 
testimony. 

To  these  was  added  another  public  tribute,  when,  on  the  fol- 
lowing Sunday  evening,  the  school-room  was  filled  with  sor- 
rowing parishioners  to  hear  an  address  given  by  his  dear  friend, 
Colonel  Rowlandson,  on  the  farewell  words  of  St.  Paul  (2  Tim. 
iv.  1-8),  as  illustrated  in  the  life  and  death  of  their  aged  pastor ; 
by  his  following  Christ,  renouncing  all  righteousness  of  his  own ; 
his  personal  and  heart-felt  reliance  upon  the  atoning  blood  and 
righteousness  of  the  Lord  Jesus ;  his  liberty  of  access  to  the 
throne  of  grace ;  his  abiding  joy  in  God,  which  was  the  source 

1  '  The  pilgrim  they  laid  in  a  chamber  whose  w■indo^Y  opened  toward  the 
Sim  rising ;  the  name  of  the  chamber  was  Peace,  where  he  slept  till  break 
of  day.' — Pilgriw's  Progress. 

2  Published  in  a  small  volume,  entitled,  Memorial  Sermons  ore  the  occasion 
of  the  Death  of  the  Rev.  William  Marsh,  D.D. 

2  The  Rev.  Henry  Venn  Elliott,  incumbent  of  St.  Mary's,  Brighton,  where  he 
faithfully  exercised  his  varied  and  eminent  gifts  in  the  work  of  the  Lord  for 
thirtj'-eight  years.  Though  he  had  laboured  for  so  long  a  period,  \vith  un- 
ceasing devotedness,  in  that  glorious  service,  he  was  full  of  life  and  energy, 
as  was  shown  by  his  coming  from  Brighton  to  attend  the  funeral  on  Friday, 
returning  in  the  evening  to  prepare  his  sermon,  and  coming  again  on  Saturday 
night  to  be  ready  for  his  Sunday's  work.  A  twofold  act  of  kindness,  which 
can  never  be  forgotten  by  those  whose  hearts  experienced  the  comfort  of  his 
considerate  and  self- forgetting  sympathy,  and  the  help  of  his  holy  conversa- 
tion and  prayers,  together  with  those  of  the  two  other  valued  and  mutual 
friends. 

Mr.  Elliott  preached  in  his  o-wn  church  on  New  Year's  Day,  1S65,  from 
the  text,  '  Occupy  till  I  cvme but  before  the  first  month  of  that  year  had 
closed,  he  had  heard  the  blissful  words,  '  The  Master  is  come,  and  calleth  for 
thee.' 

2  0 


578 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILLIAM  MARSH,  D.D. 


and  secret  of  his  abiding  victory  over  the  world  and  sin ;  his 
reflection  of  the  Saviour's  image  before  his  fellow-men,  caused 
by  the  indwelling  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  his  constant  recourse  to 
the  Wonderful  Counsellor ;  hence  his  calmness,  making  the  lan- 
guage of  complaint  a  thing  unknown  to  his  lips ;  his  love  to  all 
who  belonged  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  his  zeal  for  God ;  his  chief 
delight  and  study  in  four  books,  within  the  reach  of  all :  the 
book  of  God's  creation ;  the  book  of  God's  providence  ;  the  book 
of  the  human  heart ;  the  Word  of  the  Living  God  ;  his  love  for 
and  earnest  expectation  of  the  appearing  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

And  lastly,  his  creed  and  motto  through  life  were,  '  Jesus 
only,'  and  '  My  fresh  springs  are  in  Thee.' 


'  THE  QUIET  RESTING-PLACE.' 


579 


"they  who  turn  many  to  righteousness  shall  shine 
AS  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever." 


"but  these  are  written,  that  ye  might  believe  that 
jesus  is  the  christ,  the  son  of  god;  and  that  believing, 
ye  might  have  life  through  his  name."— john  xx.  3l 

"these  things  have  i  written  unto  you  that  believe 
on  the  name  of  the  son  of  god  ;  that  ye  may  know  that 
ye  have  eternal  life,  and  that  ye  may  believe  on  the 
name  of  the  son  of  god,"— 1  john  v.  13. 


TO  THE  PRAISE  OF  THE  GLORr  OF  THE  GRACE  OF  GOD, 
a:ND  TO  THE  BELOVED  MEMORY  OF 

WILLIAM   MARSH,  D.D. 

RECTOR  OF  BEDDINGTON,  SURREY; 
BORN  JULY  20th  1775, 

FELL  ASLEEP  IN  JESUS,  AUGUST  24TH  1864. 

FOR  SIXTY-FOUR  YEARS 
HE  WAS  "a  good  MIXISTER  OF  JESUS  CHRIST, 
NOURISHED  UP  IN  THE  WORDS  OF  FAITH  AND  OF  GOOD  DOCTRINE," 
"an  example  of  THE  BELIEVERS  IN  WORD,  IN  CONVERSATION, 
IN  CHAEITY,  IN  SPIRIT,  IN  FAITH,  IN  PURITY." 

IN  HIS  BIBLE  THESE  WORDS  WERE  FOUND  WRITTEN — 
AT  THE  CLOSE  OF  MY  MISISTUr,  MAT  MY  SPIRIT  BE  THAT 
OF  THE  PUBLIC  AX,  "GOD  BE  MERCIFUL  TO  ME  A  SI^'ER:"  MY 
PRAYER  THAT  OF  STEPHEX,  "LORD  JESUS  RECEIVE  MY  SPIRIT:" 
MY  FAITH  THAT  OF  DA  flD,  "  1X7  0  THY  HAXDS  I  COMMEXD  MY 
SPIRIT  ;  THOU  HAST  REDEEMED  ME,  0  LORD  GOD  OF  TRUTH." 

NOT  VERY  LONG  BEFORE  HIS  DEATH,  HE  WAS  HEARD  SAYING, 
"  BLESSED  SAVIOUR  !  WASHED  IN  THY  BLOOD,  CLOTHED  WITH 
THY  RIGHTEOUSNESS,  PREPARED  BY  THY  SPIRIT,  EMPLOYED 
IN  THY  SERVICE,  RECEIVED  INTO  THY  KINGDOM  ; 
PRAISE,  PRAISE,  TO  THEE  !  " 

"  THE  SAME  MAX  WAS  JUST  AXD  DEVOUT,  WAITING 
FOR  THE  COXSOLATIOX  OF  ISRAEL;  AXD  THE 
HOLY  GHOST  WAS  UPOX  HIM." 


580 


MEMOIR  OF  REV.  WILT  J  AM  MARSH,  D.D. 


Farewell,  my  Father,  until  '  the  trumpet  shall  sound 
and  the  dead  shall  be  raised.' 

'  Sacred  and  sainted  now  to  us  is  thy  familiar  name  : 
High  is  thy  sphere  above  us  now,  and  yet  in  this  the  same  ; 
Together  do  we  watch  and  wait  for  that  long-promised  day. 
When  the  Voice  that  rends  the  tombs  shall  call,  '  Arise,  and 
come  away, 

My  Bride  and  my  Redeemed,  winter  and  night  are  past, 
And  the  time  of  singing  and  of  light  has  come  to  thee  at  last ; 
When  the  Family  is  gathered,  and  the  Father's  House  complete. 
And  we  and  thou,  beloved,  in  our  Saviour's  smile  shall  meet. ' 


EDINBURGH  :  T.  CONSTABLE, 
PRINTEK  TO  THE  QUEEN,  AND  TO  THE  UNIVERSIl  Y. 


4 


